A Tale of Courage

[Skittles]

A Tale of Courage
Chapter 1:A loner's memories
He walked along the snow covered path, alone clearly deep in thought. His appearance was shabby. Well worn clothes, tattered with old stains and unwashed. No birds sung on the early evening. Only the soft crunch of the lone man's footsteps and the sound of happy people and joyful children, muffled by walls. He stopped in front of a larger building which joyful and drunken voices could be heard more clearly through the double doors. Quietly after taking a deep breath, he opened the door and went inside.

" Hey Cliff, come have a drink. Its on me," a loud,drunk voice boomed from a table.He turned to look at the man. It was Duke who was as usual, drunk. He tried his best to smile at the slightly grayed haired man but with no luck.

"No thanks..." his shy voice was barely audible in the bar.

" Aw, but its Christmas," another person, this time a young blond woman said, just realizing he was there.

" Are you kidding me. No matter, what that hobo is always being emo and miserable. I should know, I have to room with him," a reddish-brown haired man said bitterly.

" Um... Gray then you must be a hobo too because you don't have your own house" the blond giggled. The comment sent an uproar of laughter in the bar.Poor Gray's face turned almost as red as his hair.

Quietly he went upstairs to his room. He changed into something more comfortable for sleeping. An old faded blue plaid boxers.Grabbing his wallet he began to count a very small amount of money.

"I'm almost out of money" he thought after finishing. He put the mere $50 back in his wallet. There were no credit,bank or debit cards only a couple of pictures of family members. He let out a sigh closing the wallet, placing it on the nightstand and flopping back on to the bed but no sleep would come.

He lay awake long after Gray was dragged upstairs by the innkeeper's daughter Ann, blabbering about needing to get to work. He was very drunk.

"of course he's drunk... people who get drunk are just gonna get burned..." he thought, scowling at an unhappy memory brought up from the thought.Finley sleep came though no pleasant dreams to ease the young man's pain briefly.

[Skittles]

I'm sorry chapter 1 is so short the others will be longer, promise

[Skittles]

sorry it took so long here is chptr 2 A Tale of Courage
Chapter2: A New Arival

She looked around the shabby farm still in shock that she had been tricked.

"Might as well get to work..."she thought to herself. Picking up the tools she would need, she walked outside.It was only her second day in Mineral town, she hadn't really even been in the town yet exept to get off the boat.

"Hey there" a tall, muscular man shouted from the gate at the entrance to her farm.

"Hi...um who are you?" she asked, smiling nervessly.The man looked like he could snap her in half.Quietly with a little courage and curiosty she walked over to the gate to greet the man.

"I'm Zack I'll be picking up your shipments everyday at 5:00pm, except on holidays of course.I need a break to"he said warmly." Are you ok miss... you look like you've just just seen a ghost"

" I...I'm just fine.Just a little scared...I mean shy, really I'm ok" she studdered, still scared of the tall well-muscled man.

"If you say so... what is your name again?" Zack asked.

"Amelia Tuck, sorry I didn't say so earlier. You'll be coming aroung at 5:00pm everyday right?" she tried to remember.

"You got it Amy" Zack chuckled.

"Please don't called me Amy, just Ali" she snapped.She hated being called Amy.It sounded so preppy.And Amelia Tuck was NOT a preppy person.

Zack left after saying goodbye and she free to continue her work on the field.She noticed the brown puppy busily chasing butterflies.It was a beautiful spring day.The puppy seeing his master decided he wanted to play.

"Hi Quigley.How are you this morning boy, busy chasing the butterflies?" she asked the puppy.Alia reached down to pet the puppy's head.

*******
"Hey Cliff, everyone is saying that a new person moved into that old farm" Doug told him as he handed the young man his order.

"I bet he won't last a week"Gray yawned coming down the stairs slipping his hat on.

" I think she could last maybe a month" Ann told the still sleepy red head.

"Ohh, how old is she...what does she look like?" the red head man asked pretending to care.

" Jerk much.Your such... such a guy.All you do is complain,drink and go after only the prettiest girls and...and are you even listening to me"Ann snapped.

" Blah blah blah...something about me being a guy...blah blah blah.Sorry to burst your bubble but I am a guy its what us guys do" Gray said ruffling her hair.

Quietly he finished his meal quickly to escape the noise.He had a bad headache that wouldn't go away and he had no asprin either.Putting the plate on the tray he walked outside to go to the church as usual.

[Skittles]

here is chapter 3,4,5
A Tale of Courage
Chapter 3: The Run In

As he was past the supermarket the door swung open and he was knocked to the ground.Bags of seeds and groceries fell all over.

"I am Soho sorry, I wasn't watching were I was going and in a hurry and... Are you hurt,do you need help.I am really sorry, you must be angry and here I am blabbing on and I'll just be going" the young woman apologized.

"I'm fine...are you..hurt"Urggg why do I have to be so shy...Cliff thought to himself as he started to help pick up her things. She was certainly pretty. Long blond hair was tied back in a ponytail. She had big sky-blue eyes and was dressed in a plaid shirt and blue jean overalls.He noticed the several bags spilled over the ground.They looked heavy.

"Thats...a lot of..stuff...d.do you need...help carrying...the bags?"Cliff stammered.

"That...would be nice.Thank you...ah whats your name?"the young woman asked.

"My...name?It's Cliff Harrison..."he replied"Whats yours?"

"I'm Amelia Tuck but people just call me Ali.Why do you keep stammering and why is your hair so messy,you know there is something new out there that would help.It's called shampoo and a shower.You look like you've been living under a rock, you don't do you?"Ali joked.

His face went bright red.The girl noticed and started laughing.Embarrassed he helped carry some of the bags back to her farm.

He lay ed awake on the bed.For some reason he just couldn't sleep.It wasn't Gray's chainsaw snoring.Turning over he looked out the window.Wind whipped rain against the glass.It had been raining alto lately and there was flooding but no one was worried.Memories flooding back.

Rain pelted against the window.He was dizzy and all senses were dull.His head was high as the clouds and he could see stars.
"Come on Rocky,get the goods"a voice said from behind him.

"How?"he asked squinting his eyes against the rain.

"Just walk inside, go to the shelf and turn your back on the guy,grab the bottle and grab something else,make it real easy to see but hide the bottle so he can't see it, pay for the other thing and leave.Its easy"the voice explained.

Quietly he walked into the store and headed to the back.He secretly grabbed a bottle of beer as he grabbed a bottle of pop.He hid the first bottle under his thick coat and walked up to the cashier with the cigarette hanging out his mouth.

"Can I help you"the cashier asked suspiciously.Rocky placed the pop bottle on the counter.The man rang it in.

"$2.09, will that be all sir"The cashier said,giving him a suspicious look.

"Yeah thanks"he replied placing the money on the table.He started to wards the door lighting his cigarette as he left.As he opened the door the machine started beeping.

"What do you got hidden under your coat boy?"The man shouted as Rocky bolted out the door.

"Come on,I got the loot now lets get out of here"he shouted to his friend.They ran to his car.

"I'll drive"Rocky said,hopping into the driver's seat and turning on the car. The cashier came running out as he slammed on the gas.The battered,funny smelling car squalled as they started to drive away.

"Aw Rocky you got caught"his friend said.

"All the more fun"Rocky laughed as he stuck his arm out the window"Catch us if you can old man"he shouted.Then he heard police car sirens behind him."Aw crap, here come the cops"

"Just beat them.I need a good race.Hey gimme some of that beer"the guy asked.

"Hey I got the beer so I get the first drink"Rocky said before guzzling some of the bottle then passing to his friend.He began to feel more dizzy but didn't notice it because his head was racing with adrenaline as he sped fast down the street.Switching hands he grabbed another cigarette and turned on the radio.

"Turn that crap off and put on some rock"his friend said and changed the channel."ROCKY LOOK OUT!"he yelled.

Chapter 4:Bad Seeds Planted

BRINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!The sound awoke him from his nightmare.He listened to the sound of Gray sleepily turning his alarm clock off.

"Cliff,you up?"Gray yawned

"Yeah why?"Cliff asked sitting up.He still felt so tired.He hardly got any sleep last night.

"You were making noise again.I swearer you talk more in your sleep then you do when your awake.Don't you have some sorta off button,some of us have jobs and need sleep for,unlike you"Gray scowled. He felt bad.Gray,though grouchy, was right.He had no job,no home and no future.His life was living in an inn,doing the occasional odd job for a bit of money and struggling to keep from going back to old ways.He had to keep moving from town to town,avoiding cities as much as he could. Standing up he took a shower, got dressed and went downstairs to get some breakfast.

"Cliff, you got some mail"Doug said from the counter holding an envelope in his hand.Quietly he walked over to take it from him.Sitting at the table with a bit of cheap food in front of him,he opened the letter.He ate as he read but nearly choked on a piece of toast.

'...I will be arriving April 6th at 9:00am...'

Thats today...he thought while coughing.

" Are you OK? You were choking and now you look like you've seen a ghost"the innkeeper shouted from across the room.

"W..What time..is..it?"Cliff stammered in panic.

"9:30, why?"Doug asked.

He held his head in his hands with his elbows on the table.Panic and apprehension built up with every second.Thinking of every possible thing that could go wrong only made him more stressed. Old cravings and negative thoughts built up.He layed his head on the table with his arms under his forehead.

"Cliff are you OK"the man asked him, walking over to the table.

"I..I just have..a.headache"Cliff lied.Then he thought about it, everyone would know soon.

"Does it have to do with that letter?"Doug asked, noticing the young man's pan iced face.

******
"Excuse me but do you know a man named Clifford Harrison"the strange man asked her.Ann had been on her way back home after visiting Popuri when a middle-aged man in a suit with a briefcase.

"Yes I know Cliff.Why,who are you?"Ann asked.

"I'm his parole officer.Can you tell me what you know about him,how he acts,his job,things like that"He said holding a clipboard and pen.

Parole Officer? What has Cliff done to go to jail?she thought"I don't know much about him.He lives in the inn my father runs and he doesn't talk very much.He doesn't work but he sometimes does odd jobs for money"Ann told him.

"Thank you.Can you take me to him if you know where he is?"the man asked.

"Sure"she said lost in thought.Quietly the man followed her back to the Inn.When they arrived she led the man over to the table which Cliff was hunched over,playing with some food on a plate with a fork.He looked up when they approached him.She couldn't help but glare at him.If he had a probation officer that meant he had done jail time but what for? She wondered.Robbery,Drugs,Speeding,Alcohol,impaired driving maybe?Couldn't be murder could it?He most likely wouldn't be here if it was murder.Maybe assault of some kind.Yeah it most be some sort of assault because he doesn't like being around other people,she thought.

"Yes..."Cliff said shyly as usual.

"Cliff, you look worse then the last time"the man said giving Cliff a strange look.Raising one eyebrow and his eyes had a questioning look to them.It gave her chills to think that it was about something to do with jail.

" Clean,no lying Mr.Reed"Cliff tried to smile but couldn't hide his fear.

What does he mean by clean.Well he clearly did shower she thought.Quietly she left the men alone.She had to tell Popuri.

"Well do you have any proof.After all you have no job and for what reason. If you want this to end you have to turn your life around and give me proof you have.I need fellow employee and a manager's statements for starters and you need to be in a stable money situation.I need direct proof, not you telling me things I can't trust...Listen Cliff your running out of time.They can and will send you back again if you can't turn around.You know you don't have to make them, you can get help without being forced to go.It can be an option"Mr.Reed told him.Cliff sat there for a moment.

"I don't need help.Stop talking to me like I'm sick or something.I am clean, you're just going to have to believe me"the young man said coldly.

******
"Well I need to get statements from other people in the neighborhood.I will meet you back here at about 5:30 if thats not a problem"Mr.Reed said getting up to leave.Now everyone is going to know he thought.

Quietly Cliff walked along the forest trail lost in thought.It was only 11:30,several people could already know.Others would have already heard from Ann .Life couldn't be much worse.

Leaning against a tree, he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket.Lighting it,he just stood there watching the lake in front of him.

"You know how bad those are for you" a voice said from beside him.Cliff turned to see Dr.Trent walking by from the trail.

"I don't care..."Cliff snapped.He did know what they could do.It just didn't matter.

"You should.Do you know whats in cigarettes?Anti-freeze,rat poison,gasoline,pesticides,a chemical used in preserving dead things...shall I go on?"Dr.Trent asked.

Cliff just stood there for a moment thinking about what he had hanging out of his mouth.He wanted to spit it out but he couldn't do it.

"Ah I see, you can't.You have an addiction,don't you.You're just too ashamed to admit it.You can get help and no one has to know"

*****
"OK I will be back in January.You need to at least to have a job by then or you know what will happen"Mr.Reed said as he got in the car.He didn't watch him go.As he walked back to the Inn everyone stared at him,looking at him as if he was a filthy,unwanted murderer.He had seen that look too many times before.

Chapter 4:The Attack

Something bad was about to happen,she could feel it.It was the first day of summer,so everyone was going to the beach to have fun.But something wasn't right.All the people in the area came to Mineral Beach,most of the other towns and some people from the city also came to join in the games and contests.She saw Gray,Ann,Popuri and Kai standing together and went to join.

"Look at him,I think he had to do something bad.He hardly doesn't talk, always gloomy.He reminds me of the people in those Lemony Snicket's books"Gray complained.It was easy to tell who he was talking about. Everyone was talking about 'Cliff the criminal' they called him.But he did nothing to stop it, he just took it. No one wanted to be around him.The red head even got a separate room despite it costing more,just so he could get away from Cliff.Ali felt kind of sorry for him but she hated him just as much as everybody else did.But they were blind to lost soul in front of them.

*******
He clung to the tiny bit of life he had.He had stopped talking and spent all time alone.People either acting as if he didn't exist or hated him.But for what, they didn't know him.They didn't see how much pain he was in,they didn't see him,they saw only what they believed.His hope diminishing, he was heading down the path he knew well.He smoked constantly,he was even starting to drink but alone.He was falling but as usual no one would catch him in time.

"Hey jail bird, do your parents know what you are?"someone teased. Alto of teenagers called him that.He felt the anger beginning boil.

"They probably don't even want to see him.Here that jail bird,no one wants you"another laughed.Cliff was beginning to get irritated.

"I bet your father doesn't care about you.And your mother must cry at night, wondering what she did wrong for her little baby to be nothing but a criminal and disappointment to everyone"a third voice chuckled. Gray didn't know what he just did.He could take almost anything thrown at him,but that was too much.Cliff screamed with rage and slammed his clenched and rigid fists into the other man. Gray tried to fight back but he was no match against the enraged man. Though small, he grew up with constant physical fighting.He was quick,agile and a certainly strong fist fighter.

Someone grabbed Gray, while another tried to pull the angry man away from him.Everybody was scared.It was unexpected of him to fight.All heads were turned in the direction of the fight.The two young men continued to try and fight each other.Gray fighting so he wouldn't look like a wimp,Cliff fighting to get revenge.

"Hey,HEY!Break it up you two.This is no place and time to fight"Harris struggled along with Gotz to contain the men.

"Let me go!I'm gonna kill that ****g jerk!" Cliff screamed at the top of lungs. People covered their children's ears as the angry man as he continued swearing and cursing." Let me go!"he screamed after running out of things to yell at Gray.

Then while everyone was still in shock over the unexpected words that came out of the young man's mouth, he took the opportunity to bolt.No one stopped him.They just didn't want to.After he ran,all attention was turned to Gray.He had been hit pretty hard.Blood was oozing out his nose, Gray had a black eye and probably a concussion.But other then that he was OK.

****
As Cliff ran all he could hear was his footsteps.Tears streamed out of his eyes.The pain was almost too much to bear.It was true, no one cares about him.No one wanted him and his father couldn't even look at him.
He is just another person...like everyone,I'm just a filthy piece of trash...he thought to himself.With nothing but the wallet in his pocket,the clothes on his back and the few small memories of the past, he left and didn't stop going until he reached the place he wanted to go.As he walked among the familiar neighborhood memories came back.More graffiti was sprayed on the walls but he could still some of see his own work which wasn't sprayed over with new stuff.He smelled the familiar smell of gasoline, cigarettes, trash, alcohol and other smells he knew.The sky beginning to fade to night but no stars could be seen.Like any most large cities,stars were hard to see. Suddenly he heard a voice from behind him.

"Hey whatcha doin' in our turf, you got nerve being here"the voice said but the others with him didn't say anything.

"You gang leader now,Sly fingas"Cliff said recognizing the man.Turning around, he noticed the shock in the men's faces as they saw who he was.

"Rocky, we thought them cops locked you up for good" Sly fingas said with his usual slang sounding voice. Rocky could talk like that too, it was second nature to him. "Been in 'n' out for a while. Ya got some goods? I got cash”

[Skittles]

here is chptr 3,4,5
A Tale of Courage
Chapter 3: The Run In

As he was past the supermarket the door swung open and he was knocked to the ground.Bags of seeds and groceries fell all over.

"I am sooo sorry, I was watching were I was going and in a hurry and... Are you hurt,do you need help.I am really sorry, you must be angry and here I am blabing on and I'll just be going" the young woman apologized.

"I'm fine...are you..hurt"Urggg why do I have to be so shy...he thought to himslef as he started to help pick up her things. She was certainly pretty. Long blond hair was tied back in a ponytail. She had big sky-blue eyes and was dressed in a plaid shirt and blue jean overalls.He noticed the several bags spilled over the ground.They looked heavy.

"Thats...a lot of..stuff...d.do you need...help carrying...the bags?"Cliff stammered.

"That...would be nice.Thank you...ah whats your name?"the young woman asked.

"My...name?It's Cliff Harrison..."Cliff said"Whats yours?"

"I'm Amelia Tuck but people just call me Alia.Why do you keep stammering and why is your hair so messy,you know there is something new out there that would help.It's called shampoo and a shower.You look like you've been living under a rock, you don't do you?"Alia joked.

His face went bright red.Alia noticed and started laughing.Embarassed he helped carry some of the bags back to Alia's farm.

He layed awake on the bed.For some reason he just couldn't sleep.It wasn't Gray's chainsaw snoring.Turning over he looked out the window.Wind whipped rain against the glass.It had been raining alot lately and there was flooding but no one was worried.Memories flooding back.

Rain pelted against the window.He was dizzy and all senses were dull.His head was high as the clouds and he could see stars.
"Come on Rocky,get the goods"a voice said from behind him.

"How?"he asked squinting his eyes against the rain.

"Just walk inside, go to the shelf and turn your back on the guy,grab the bottle and grab something else,make it real easy to see but hide the bottle so he can't see it, pay for the other thing and leave.Its easy"the voice explained.

Quietly he walked into the store and headed to the back.He secretly grabbed a bottle of beer as he grabbed a bottle of pop.He hid the first bottle under his thick coat and walked up to the cashier with the cigeratte hanging out his mouth.

"Can I help you"the cashier asked suspiciously.Rocky placed the pop bottle on the counter.The man rang it in.

"$2.09, will that be all sir"The cashier said,giving him a supicious look.

"Yah thanks"he replied placing the money on the table.He started towards the door lighting his cigarette as he left.As he opened the door the machine started beeping.

"What do you got hidden under your coat boy?"The man shouted as Rocky bolted out the door.

"Come on,I got the loot now lets get out of here"he shouted to his friend.They ran to his car.

"I'll drive"Rocky said,hopping into the driver's seat and turning on the car. The cashier came running out as he slammed on the gas.The battered,funny smelling car squelled as they started to drive away.

"Aww Rocky you got caught"his friend said.

"All the more fun"Rocky laughed as he stuck his arm out the window"Catch us if you can old man"he shouted.Then he heard police car sirens behind him."Aw crap, here come the cops"

"Just beat them.I need a good race.Hey gimmie some of that beer"the guy asked.

"Hey I got the beer so I get the first drink"Rocky said before guzzling some of the bottle then passing to his friend.He began to feel more dizzy but didn't notice it because his head was racing with adreneline as he sped fast down the street.Switching hands he grabbed another cigarette and turned on the radio.

"Turn that crap off and put on some rock"his friend said and changed the channel."ROCKY LOOK OUT!"he yelled.

Chapter 4:Bad Seeds Planted

BRINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!The sound awoke him from his nightmare.He listened to the sound of Gray sleepily turning his alarm clock off.

"Cliff,you up?"Gray yawned

"Yah why?"Cliff asked sitting up.He still felt so tired.He hardly got any sleep last night.

"You kept making sounds in your sleep again.I sweare you talk more in your sleep then you do when your awake.Don't you have some sorta off button,some of us have jobs and need sleep for,unlike you"Gray scowled. He felt bad.Gray,though grouchy, was right.Cliff had no job,no home and no future.His life was living in an inn,doing the occasional odd job for a bit of money and struggling to keep from going back to old ways.He had to keep moving from town to town,avoiding cities as much as he could. Standing up he took a shower, got dressed and went downstairs to get some breakfast.

"Cliff, you got some mail"Doug said from the counter holding an envelope in his hand.Quietly Cliff walked over to take it from him.Sitting at the table with a bit of cheap food in front of him,he opened the letter.He ate as he read but nearly choked on a piece of toast.

"...I will be arriving april 6th at 9:00am..."

Thats today...he thought while coughing.

"Cliff are you ok? You were choking and now you look like you've seen a ghost"Doug shouted from across the room.

"W..What time..is..it?"Cliff stammered in panic.

"9:30, why?"Doug asked.

He held his head in his hands with his elbows on the table.Panic and apprehension built up with every second.Thinking of every possible thing that could go wrong only made him more stressed. Old cravings and negative thoughts built up.He layed his head on the table with his arms under his forehead.

"Cliff are you ok"Doug asked him, walking over to the table.

"I..I just have..a.headache"Cliff lied.Then he thought about it, everyone would know soon.

"Does it have to do with that letter?"Doug asked, noticing the young man's paniced face.

"Excuse me but do you know a man named Cliff Harrison"the strange man asked her.Ann had been on her way back home after visiting Popuri when a middle-aged man in a suit with a briefcase.

"Yes I know Cliff.Why,who are you?"Ann asked.

"I'm his probation officer.Can you tell me what you know about him,how he acts,his job,things like that"He said holding a clipboard and pen.

Probation Officer? What has Cliff done to go to jail?she thought"I don't know much about him.He lives in the inn my father runs and he doesn't talk very much.He doesn't have a job but he sometimes does odd jobs for money"Ann told him.

"Thank you.Can you take me to him if you know where he is?"the man asked.

"Sure"she said lost in thought.Quietly the man followed her back to the Inn.When they arrived Ann led the man over to the table which Cliff was hunched over,playing with some food on a plate with a fork.He looked up when they approached him.She couldn't help but glare at him.If he had a probation officer that ment he had done jail time but what for? She wondered.Robery,Drugs,Speeding,Alcohol,impaired driving maybe?Couldn't be murder could it?He most likely wouldn't be here if it was murder.Maybe assult of some kind.Yah it most be some sort of assult because he doesn't like being around other people,she thought.

"Yes..."Cliff said shyly as usual.

"Cliff, you look worse then the last time"the man said giving Cliff this look.Raising one eyebrow and his eyes had a questioning look to them.It gave her chills to think that it was about something to do with jail.

"At least I'm clean,no lying Mr.Reed"Cliff tried to smile but couldn't hide his fear.

What does he mean by clean.Well he clearly did shower she thought.Quietly she left the men alone.She had to tell Popuri.

"Well do you have any proof.After all you have no job and for what reason. If you want this to end you have to turn your life around and give me proof you have.I need fellow employee and a manager's statements for starters and you need to be in a stable money situation.I need direct proof, not you telling me things I can't trust...Listen Cliff your running out of time.They can and will send you back again if you can't turn around.You know you don't have to make them, you can get help without being forced to go.It can be an option"Mr.Reed told him.Cliff sat there for a moment.

"I don't need help.Stop talking to me like I'm sick or something.I am clean, you're just going to have to belive me"Cliff said coldly.

"Well I need to get statements from other people in the neighborhood.I will meet you back here at about 5:30 if thats not a problem"Mr.Reed said getting up to leave.Now everyone is going to know he thought.

Quietly he walked along the forest trail lost in thought.It was only 11:30,several people could already know.Others would have already heard from Ann and Doug.Life would be much harder from now on.

Leaning against a tree, he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket.Lighting it,he just stood there watching the lake in front of him.

"You know how bad those are for you" a voice said from beside him.Cliff turned to see Dr.Trent walking by from the trail.

"I don't care..."Cliff snapped.He did know what they could do.He had seen it with his own eyes.It just didn't matter.

"You should.Do you know whats in cigarettes?Anti-freeze,rat poison,gasoline,pestisides,a chemical used in preserving dead things...shall I go on?"Dr.Trent asked.Cliff just stood there for a moment thinking about what he had hanging out of his mouth.He wanted to spit it out but he couldn't do it."Ah I see, you can't.You have an addiction,don't you.You're just too ashamed to admit it.You can get help and no one has to know"

"Ok I will be back in january.You need to at least to have a job by then or you know what will happen"Mr.Reed said as he got in the car.Cliff didn't watch him go.As he walked back to the Inn everyone stared at him,looking at him as if he was a filthy,unwanted murderer.He had seen that look too many times before.

Chapter 4:Secret Death

Something bad was about to happen,she could feel it.It was the first day of summer,so everyone was going to the beach to have fun.But something wasn't right.All the people in the area came to Mineral Beach,most of the other towns and some people from the city also came to join in the games and contests.She saw Gray,Ann,Popuri and Kai standing together and went to join.

"Look at him,I think he had to do something bad.He hardly doesn't talk, always gloomy.He reminds me of the people in those Lemony Snicket's books"Gray complained.It was easy to tell who he was talking about. Everyone was talking about 'Cliff the criminal' they called him.But he did nothing to stop it, he just took it. No one wanted to be around him.Gray even got a separate room despite it costing more,just so he could get away from Cliff.Alia felt kind of sorry for him but she hated him just as much as everybody else did.But they were blind to lost soul in front of them.

He clung to the tiny bit of life he had.He had stopped talking and spent all time alone.People either acting as if he didn't exist or hated him.But for what, they didn't know him.They didn't see how much pain he was in,they didn't see him,they saw only what they belived.His hope diminishing, he was heading down the path he knew well.He smoked constently,he was even starting to drink but alone.He was falling but as usual no one would catch him in time.

"Hey jail bird, do your parents know what you are?"someone teased. People called him jail bird alot.Cliff felt the anger beginning boil.

"They probably don't even want to see him.Here that jail bird,no one wants you"another laughed.He was begining to get irritated.

"I bet your father doesn't care about you.And your mother must cry at night, wondering what she did wrong for her little baby to be nothing but an evil criminal and disappointment to everyone"a third voice chuckled. Gray didn't know what he just did.Cliff could take almost anything thrown at him,but that was too much.He screamed with rage and slammed his clenched and rigid fists into the other man. Gray tried to fight back but he was no match against Cliff. Though small, he grew up with constant physical fighting.He was quick,agile and a certainly strong fist fighter.

Someone grabbed Gray, while another tried to pull the angry man away from him.Everybody was scared.It was unexpected of Cliff to fight.All heads were turned in the direction of the fight.The two young men continued to try and fight each other.Gray fighting so he wouldn't look like a wimp,Cliff fighting to get revenge.

"Hey,HEY!Break it up you two.This is no place and time to fight"Harris struggled along with Gotz to contain the men.

"Let me go!I'm gonna kill that ****g jerk!" Cliff screamed at the top of lungs. People covered their children's ears as the angry man as he continued swearing and cursing."Of course no one cares about me, no one ever does!"he screamed after running out of things to yell at Gray.

Then while everyone was still in shock over the unexpected words that came out of the young man's mouth, he took the opportunity to bolt.No one stopped him.They just didn't want to.After Cliff ran,all attention was turned to Gray.He had been hit pretty hard.Blood was oozing out his nose, he had a black eye and might of had a concusion.But other then that he was ok.

As he ran all he could hear was his footsteps.Tears streamed out of his eyes.The pain was almost too much to bear.It was true, no one cares about him.No one wanted him and his father couldn't even look at him.
He is just another person...like everyone,I'm just a filthy piece of trash...he thought to himself.With nothing but the wallet in his pocket,the clothes on his back and the few small memories of the past, he left and didn't stop going untill he reached the place he wanted to go.As he walked among the familiar neighborhood memories came back.More graffiti was sprayed on the walls but he could still some of see his own work which wasn't sprayed over with new stuff.He smelled the familiar smell of gasoline, cigarettes, trash, alcohol and other smells he knew.The sky beginning to fade to night but no stars could be seen.Like any most large cities,stars were hard to see. Suddenly he heard a voice from behind him.

"Hey whatcha doin' in our turf, you got nerve being here"the voice said but the others with him didn't say anything.

"You gang leader now,Sly fingas"he said recognizing the man.Turning around, he noticed the shock in the men's faces as they saw who he was.

"Rocky, we thought them cops locked you up for good" Sly fingas said with his usual slang sounding voice. Rocky could talk like that too, it was second nature to him. "Been in 'n' out for a while. Ya got some goods, I got cash”

[stitch]

Hi, it's a pretty good story so far. I've only had a chance to read up to chapter three so far, but I plan to get all caught up in the next couple of days. A couple words of advice though. I know you're most likely using a technique with not using names very often, but I must admit it's very confusing if you don't. In your first chapter I thought you went from the character Cliff to suddenly talking about Grey. I had to read it twice. It's good to keep in mind that you might know who you're talking about, but your readers might not. I mean it's a minor error that's easy to fix, just be aware that using he and she a lot can get confusing if there is more than one guy or girl in the immediate setting.

One last thing, when you switch from Amelia's point of view to Cliff's you need to let your readers know by some means. Rather than a new paragraph. Something like *** between the two point of views or something and I think you've got it made.

Like I said, great story so far and I look forward to keeping up with this. Great job, keep it going. Can't wait to read the rest of it.

[stitch]

I just finished reading all that you've posted. I still have to admit that you need to use names more and I've also got to admit I wasn't expecting the twist you used. I'm interested to see how you'll use it for your story. Watch your characters though, they're not always staying in character which is a bit confusing at times, but I think you can pull it off. All in all, I can't wait to see what you do with it. Oh and on a last note, it's most common to separate flashbacks with something. I personally prefer to italics any flashbacks or thoughts, but every writer is different. Just make sure you let your readers know not only when it starts, but when it ends as well to avoid unwanted confusion.

[Skittles]

thnx for the advice,it's my first fanfic so.i have a bad habit of using names too many times.
you like the twist,just wait.i got more coming

[Skittles]

A Tale of Courage
Chapter 6-Just in Time

Scared and alone, he limbed along the path. No one would help him. Snow crunched as his feet dragged. He winced at the memory

Flash back

Everything was going wrong as put the quarters in the slot. Shivering as he dialed the number, he placed the receiver to his ear and waited.
“Hello” a middle-aged woman’s voice answered.

“Is John home?” he asked quietly. After a moment, he heard someone pick up another phone.

“Yes” the familiar voice asked. He took a deep breath before speaking, utterly terrified.

“It’s me” he began. “ Can you come pick me up? Something happened. Some guys are…after me. I’m having some trouble and need help”

“I’m sorry, I am busy. You will have to find someone else…unless this… trouble has something to do with the law. Then I will get my cruiser and take you to the police department which is were you belong anyway” the man growled.

“Dad, please! Don’t do this again. I just want you to help me…please, I don’t want to be like this anymore” he begged. His voice was weak and went high pitched for a moment.

“I’m sorry but it’s your own fault. You chose your own path. It shouldn’t always be me helping you…” his father began but he interrupted.

“HELPING me. Since when have you ever actually helped me in my life!” he snapped.

“You ungrateful brat. No matter what I do for you, it just doesn’t get through to you just how much I’m sticking my neck for you…”his father never finished because he hung up.

End of flash back

He felt strange. The cold and extreme hunger was numb. The infection from his cuts had spread but he kept on walking, but that wasn’t it. He didn’t no it but an hour or two ago; he had made a fatal mistake. It still didn’t come to him as he began to feel it more. Dizzy spells began to escalate and he became disoriented. Where was he? He wondered after a while when the problem was far worse. He should have arrived already, shouldn’t he?

“It was snowing the last time I saw them,” he thought aloud. A crumpled object lay in his hand. Waves of dizziness began crashing over him. He swayed for a moment and fell unable to get up.

“HEY!” a voiced yelled but he didn’t hear it. He was too far gone by that point.

****************
She ran to the person who lay in the snow. Crouching down, she checked for a pulse. She slipped her arm under the man and got him to his feet. It took a while to get to the clinic practically dragging the man the whole time. He was semi-conscious and seemed very sick. Finally reaching the door, she yelled for someone to open it.

“ It’s open you know, just turn the… Oh no!” a voice gasped from inside. It was the owner of the general store, Jeff who had stomach problems. “ Eli, you better hurry. This guy doesn’t look too good”

The young, brown haired woman saw the two people at the door and rushed over to help.

“Ali what happened? Dr. Trent!” Eli asked her, helping her get the man inside.

“I was walking through Town Square and I saw this guy collapse. I didn’t want to leave him. It’s pretty cold outside”

Suddenly the man started groaning, one arm tried to clutch his stomach. His groaning grew louder and he looked like he was having trouble breathing.

“Sir, what’s wrong?” Dr. Trent asked. The man opened his mouth, clearly in pain.

“M… my stomach…it…it hurts” he groaned. The pain was beginning to look worse. The doctor looked at him for a moment.

“Young man, tell anything you ingested today” Dr. Trent demanded. A worried look flashed upon the two women holding the man up.

“J… just… some…” but the man couldn’t finish. He desperately struggled to breath, sweat dripped off his face. The doctor tilted the man’s head up to see his face. Everyone in the clinic gasped. Through the long untidy brown hair, past the jagged, infected cut was a distinct face. It was Cliff.

They rushed him into a room, Dr. Trent ran to another room to grab some equipment.

“Amelia I need your help. He’s ingested something that’s he shouldn’t. Hold him down and still for me. I’m going to try pumping the contents of his stomach out using this ” he said setting attaching a long, clear tube to a pump.

“ Will it work?” she asked.

“It’s his only chance. If I can get whatever it is out, it could be too late. There isn’t much hope at this point”. It was the doctor’s expression that scared her. “ Ok, get ready” he announced. He slid the tube down Cliff’s mouth and throat. Eli turned the machine on and watched. The machine began making a sucking sound and a liquid substance began coming up the tube. She saw several pills and funny looking liquid that wasn’t really digested yet. She looked away, feeling nauseous.

“Eli, get an IV and a heart monitor quickly” Dr. Trent asked. Quietly turning to her “ I need you to stay here for a little while. Hold him down and don’t let him thrash around. Tell me immediately when the liquid stops coming up the tube”

She waited for them to return. When they did, Cliff was hooked up to several different machines. The pump was turned off and the tube removed. Eli asked her if she would stay with him for a while. He needed to be watched constantly incase. The doctor didn’t know if the pills were removed in time, thought his organs weren’t shutting down yet. He looked like a different person. He was emaciated from starvation and had several infected cuts. His left leg was clearly broken and his arm could be fractured. But it was his face, he looked miserable and in pain. Dr. Trent said that the pills were probably aspirin or some other painkiller. There were traces of alcohol and drugs in his system. It was a fatal concoction. She watched the liquid drip from the IV and listened to the sound of the machines.


********
It was the pain that awoke him, a burning sensation from his wounds. The numbness was gone and there was a lot of pain. He couldn’t remember what happened or where he was for that matter. Too weak to move, he stared at the ceiling until someone walked in the room. Glancing over, he had to be dreaming. Dr. Trent walked over to the bed and sat down in a chair.

“ How are you this morning?” the doctor asked as if there was nothing wrong.

“ Tired and feeling like crap” he moaned quietly. His voice was just barely a whisper.

“Don’t try to move around, you’re very weak and injured. We can’t do X-rays until you’re stronger” Dr. Trent told him. “ You’re in pretty bad shape. Consider yourself pretty lucky you were found in time”

He listened as the doctor left the room to talk to someone. He recognized the voice Dr. Trent was talking to.

“How bad is it?” the man asked.

“Very bad… He may not last much longer. There is damage to his organs and he just doesn’t have enough strength to fight. You said you’re related to him?” the doctor asked.

“Yes, I’m his father. Is… is there any chance he’ll live?”

The doctor didn’t answer for a moment. “I’m sorry but there isn’t much hope. Even if he does, he will never be healthy. His leg won’t have much use and his immune system is damaged. He will always be in pain,” the doctor said.

“ What is exactly wrong?” his father asked. He could hear the sorrow in the man’s voice.

“ Four broken ribs, broken leg, collapsed lung, frostbite, internal damage, nerve damage, immune deficiency, starvation and dehydration. A common cold could easily kill him right now”

“ Is it ok for me to sit with him for a little while?”

“ Go ahead,”

The door opened and his father walked over to the chair beside the bed. Weakly he looked away. He couldn’t face his father.

“This is all my fault. If I had just came to pick you up, you wouldn’t be here like this” his father said quietly.

“ No I’d be in prison were I would probably commit suicide” he moaned. Just breathing hurt.

“How did you get so hurt?” his father asked.

“Like I said, some guys were after me. They hit me with their car” he wanted to say more but he was already breathless.

“ Are… you in a lot of pain?”

“Yes, it hurts to even breathe” he gasped, struggling to catch his breath.

“ It seems this family just keeps losing people. When I first got the phone call, I was at the station. Someone called saying a young man had been found and was badly hurt. I asked if they knew his name and the lady who called said it was someone who used to live in that town. It was you. I got in my car as quickly as I could and came. They said they had to pump your stomach out and put you on all sorts of machines. Your heart had stopped for a few seconds but the doctor managed to get it going again,” his father explained. His father’s eyes were filled with sadness.

“ Dad, I’m really tired. You can stay if you want but you don’t have to. I’ll understand if you leave. Your other family is probably worried” he tried to show that he was ok but he clearly wasn’t.

“No, I’ll stay awhile. I already told them” his father was upset. He blamed himself for his son’s bleak future. He couldn’t leave, he had to be there if his son died.

Quietly Cliff closed his eyes waiting for sleep to come, but the pain kept him up for a long time. His father didn’t leave even after he finally fell asleep.



Chapter 7- Grim Future

“ He’s in so much pain. He has no energy but some how he’s managed to hold on” Eli said glancing away. Most of the girls in town and near by were all talking. So far the main subject was Cliff’s desolate and hopeless condition.

“So do you think he’ll live?” Pourpi asked.

Eli shook her head. “ His injuries are too severe, inside and out. Even if he lived, he’d be in a lot of pain. Trent is thinking of talking to him about…” for a moment the nurse was too choked up to speak. “About if he’d rather live or not. He will be crippled and ill for the rest of his life. Did you know he only has an adopted father? The rest of his family is dead and he was there when most of them died. There is no one else left to take care of him or pay for his medicine. His adopted father has a family of his own”

“ That’s… sad. I feel bad, I only thought of him as a criminal. Now I see why he reacted the way he did when Gray said something mean about his mother. He doesn’t have one” one of the girls said, probably Karen.

“ I know how he feels,” Ann mumbled. She too, had lost her mother.

“ Then it’s settled. We’ll do something nice for him” Ali jumped up.

“ Maybe a big card saying to get better?” someone suggested.

So all the girls made a big card and got a lot of people to sign it. Then they all pitched in enough money to by some bright coloured flowers. A few of the girls stayed to give them to him, including Ali, Ann, Pourpi and of course Eli.

“ Ok, you can go in but only for a little while and be quiet. He gets tired quickly,” the doctor told the girls.

Quietly they walked in to the room. Cliff was glancing out the window but his head wasn’t actually turned. He looked at them when they walked in, with the card and flowers hidden behind their backs.

“ Hey, these are for you” one the girls said as they showed him the things.

“ Why did you go to all that trouble for me?” he asked but he looked to be a little brighter. The three girls were shocked at his condition, though Ali had seen him before. He was gaunt and pale, his eyes dismal. He looked like a skeleton, just lying there with a bunch of tubes and wires attached. He even had an oxygen machine to keep him from breathing too hard. His leg was done up in a hanging cast and there was some bandage around his chest.

“ We thought it might be nice. People like getting flowers when they’re hurt or sick,” the red haired girl said sweetly.

“ Thanks, it was kind of you to do all that,” he said, weakly trying to smile. The girls showed him all the signatures in the card and put it next to the flowers on the nightstand.


*******
Rays of sun lightened the room when the nurse opened them.

“Good morning, isn’t it a beautiful day outside” she said cheerfully as he opened his eyes. To him, there was nothing good about the morning. True, it was gorgeous day outside. He could see it from the window beside his bed. But just like any other of the past few days, he couldn’t enjoy it. He had started to gain some strength back, which meant surgery was getting closer. The pain was just as bad as yesterday, it never stopped. All he could do is sleep, watch TV or look out the window. He looked at the flowers. They were bright and colourful, each a different kind. He turned away, feeling as if they were taunting him. They were just so full of life and he wasn’t.

“ Time for your medication” Eli announced bringing over a needle, since he couldn’t swallow anything. She injected it without another word. He didn’t mind needles, some people said they hurt but to him. It was nothing compared to what he had been through.

Why can’t I just give up? He thought. Each day blended into the next. His world was now and forever white walls, relentless pain, and pity. Just a depressing world of pain. No one thought he would get better, let alone live. He couldn’t eat, drink, breath or go to the bathroom by himself. They were going to send to a place where he’d be taking care of for the rest of his feeble life. He didn’t want to, though. If anything, he wanted to either get better or die. But who was he kidding, he would never get better. All hope had abandoned him. Life for everyone else would go on as normal, never for him.

He opened his eyes, still feeling woozy from the surgery. It was the first of many. They had to repair his collapsed lung and straighten his broken ribs. Breathing was a little easier now but he still had to use the machine. The TV was on, for his father had been there a while ago.

Flash back

He was scared. Where would he go no? No one wanted him, no one cared how lost and alone he was. Shivering in the cold, he walked to his now abandoned house. After gathering what few things his family owned, he left without ever turning back. He wondered what to do now as he sat under an awning to escape the snow. People walked past as if he didn’t exist.

“ Mommy, why is that boy all dirty and alone?” a little girl asked as her and her mother walked past. She reached in her pocket and tried to hand him a bit of change. He looked up.

“ No Julie, get away from that filthy man” the mother scolded, pulling her daughter away.

“ But Mommy, he’s only a kid” the little girl said as they walked away. He looked down, curling himself up into a ball. He was filthy. They had shut the water of in his family’s apartment. They had no money; it all went to medical bills. But it didn’t matter anymore.

“ Hey kid,” a voice said suddenly from above him. A police officer was standing, staring at him. “ Where are your parents?”

“ I…I don’t… have any” he mumbled. He tried desperately to hold back the tears in his eyes.

The officer crouched down to see his face. “ How old are you and how long have you been alone?” the officer asked.

“I’m 12 years old and I’ve been alone for about a week,” he mumbled.

“ Well come on. I’ll take you down to the station. Don’t worry, I’m not arresting you,” the man said smiling. Quietly he followed the officer to his cruiser. Sitting inside, he began to warm up.

“By the way kid, what’s your name?”

“ My name is Cliff Harrison,” he said

“ Mine’s John Grisdale,” the officer told him. “ “ You know, I used to have a son about your age” John began. “ We lost him recently. You remind me of him. Do you have any other family you can stay with?”

“… No, they’re all gone” he mumbled.

“ Well, I’m sure we’ll find someone you can live with,”

End of Flash back

He felt a tear roll down his cheek. He had disappointed John and Mary so much. He threw his life away, even after everything they did for him. Taking him in, caring for him like a son, treating him like a normal kid and yet he hurt them. He made their lives miserable only because he thought no one cared about him. But now, he truly felt that there was no one in this world. John could hardly face him, so ashamed of the fact that he didn’t help the only thing close to a son left. He had no friends or family. He was unwanted and crippled. He was worthless.

[Skittles]

Hey, I'm sorry chapter 8 is taking so long but the holidays have been really busy. I'm writing the next chapter now so it will be done soon.

[Pickle]

It's a lot better, but may I suggest re-editing your earlier chapter just a little? Not nessarly filling in anything, just fixing the spelling and mechanical stuff.

[Skittles]

I'm finished chapter 8 even though it took my forever. I've been really busy so I haven't had the chance to update.
Tale of Courage
Chapter 8 : Chance

The man in the white coat walked in the room. Cliff turned his head towards the doctor as he sat down next to the bed.

“ How are you feeling today?” Doctor Trent asked, obviously avoiding the subject.

“ The way I always do, like crap” he said coldly waiting for the thing the doctor was going to tell him. He already knew it wouldn’t be good. He had trouble moving and couldn’t seem to move his legs. So he had several X-rays done to see if it was just weakness. But from the sharp pain in his back, he was sure it wasn’t lack of sleep.

“*Sigh* Cliff, I looked at your x-rays and they aren’t good. You said you had been hit by a car right?” The doctor looked up from the folder, awaiting a response.

“Yes…” he moaned.

“Well, I’m just going to be simple with this. You have a cracked vertebrae”

“ And that means…?”

“Since it was in your lower back, it means you might not be able to walk again. I don’t know how you walked so far in spite of the injury but it may have caused most of the damage”

Cliff couldn’t look up. ‘Might not be able to walk again…’ The thought ran through his mind, the shock hadn’t hit quite yet.

“ There is hope, though. I think surgery; a brace, rehab and physiotherapy will heal the injury. But the chance is small. Since your movement is so limited, I suspect there is also nerve damage. It will involve a lot of pain,”

Cliff faced the ceiling; basically he could only move his head and neck. “ I can handle pain…but I can’t afford, well, anything. How am I gonna pay for this,” he moaned, turning his head to the opposite wall. He had felt terribly sick that morning. Nauseous. Suddenly he started shaking, but Dr. Trent wasn’t surprised. It was a normal side effect. Now he was constantly getting these shakes. There were other side effects, too. Pain, being one of them. It was like someone was taking his nerves and pounding them with a hammer. Cliff sighed thinking he could be stuck like this till he died.

“ Your father could pay for it” Dr. Trent asked suddenly.

“No, he’s paid for enough… I couldn’t make him do more” Cliff groaned.

“ Well you’re going to have to get the money somehow or else”

“Or else what?” Cliff asked.

“The crack could heal wrong causing a lot of pain” Trent explained. “ Hmm… Maybe there is someone else who pay…”

“Who’d be crazy enough to pay a lot of money to help someone that they don’t even know” Cliff muttered. Deep down he hoped there was someone crazy enough. He just didn’t want to be stuck like this till he died.

“ I think I may know someone but you’d have to help them in return,” Trent said, snapping Cliff out of his thoughts. Maybe all hope wasn’t lost.

******

“Hi Ali,” Eli shouted, waving from the gate. Ali was busy watering her crops. She looked over when Eli opened the gate and came in. Quigley came running, of course, barking his head off.

“Hey Eli, what’s up” She asked, brushing some dirt off her pants.

“We found out why Cliff can’t move,”

“Oh, why?” Ali asked.

“He has a cracked vertebrae, it can be fixed but the problem is who will pay for it” Eli said gloomily, looking down to her feet.

Ali thought about what Eli said. “ What happens if no one helps?”

“ Well, then he’ll never walk again. Or be able to move much. He’ll be stuck in bed being cared for the rest of his life” Eli replied.

“ That’s awful. How much does it cost? You know, to help him?” Ali asked.

“ Trent estimated it at about 5000$ to start. The doctor to do the surgery will be Dr. Hardy. Though Trent is trying to bring the price down” Eli glanced up to the sky.

Ali thought for a moment.

****
“Cliff you have a visitor” Eli told him suddenly as she walked in the room. Her smile was friendly enough.

“Hey Cliff, you look awful” a cheerful girl voice chimed as the blue-eyed blond walked happily in. How Ali was always so cheerful, Cliff couldn’t tell. But it was sure annoying him. Ali walked over and sat down on the chair by the bed. “You’re white as my sheep”

“ What do you want?” he groaned in a low voice.

“Aww, come on Mr. Gloomy, cheer up” Ali said. “ You better or else you’ll be stuck in a bed for the rest of your life”

“What do mean Ali?” Cliff mumbled. Confusion and irritation was rapidly spreading through his mind.

“ Well you have to nice to me, you owe me” Ali chimed, smiling. “I’m paying for you to get better in return for you working on my farm when you get better. You have no choice, your going to be my prisoner till you pay me back”

[Pickle]

Much better!

And cute.

[caspis]

Very interesting!

Chapter 8 wasn't difficult to follow, but as others have mentioned you have a tendancy to just say "he" or "she" instead of telling us who is talking.

You also seem to skip using periods and question marks when people only say one line of dialogue. It's nothing big, though.

Hope the next chapter is coming soon...

[Skittles]

chapter 9 is coming soon!