Hi! This is my first challenge so I’m practically petrified! I hope you’ll like the story. I’ll try to post everyday.
I’ll say this just this time. I’m sorry for the mistakes you’ll be forced to endure reading this story but English is not my first language. Thank you.



18th April


Jack entered the bullpen after a long, boring meeting with the AD. Lucky D! He was spending the whole week camping with his family. Suddenly he realized that the bullpen was unusually quiet. The only noises were those of Tara’s fingers on the keyboard and of stifled yawns. Sitting at his desk, he studied his colleagues. The last days had been blissfully uneventful, giving the team the chance to catch up on a lot of neglected paperwork and him the chance to practise is favourite activity: Sue-watching. She was always so totally absorbed by her job that he could freely observe her with her being none the wiser. And she was so beautiful when she was concentrated on something, her face adorned by an adorable little pout… But his favourite moments were those when there was something that didn’t convince her on the documentation she was reading. In that case she would frown and then she would nibble her full, luscious lower lip…
The constant drumming of Bobby’s fingers on the desk brought him back to reality. A harsh reality. Bobby was bored. And a bored Bobby could mean just trouble.
- Levi, get Sue.-

This simple phrase drew the attention of the whole bullpen but Jack didn’t seem to notice.
“ Hungry? ” He signed.

- Starving! – Sue replied with a smile.

- Ah! Brilliant idea! – Myles exclaimed getting up, soon imitated by the rest of the team.

- Thanks for the invitation, Sparky! - Bobby said, already out of the door.

- It’s in moments like this that I truly appreciate your qualities as team leader and your generous nature! – Lucy added, putting on her jacket.

- Your credit cards are intact, aren’t they? – Tara asked, briefly narrowing her eyes to look Jack straight in the eyes, and then followed Lucy out of the bullpen.

Jack turned his attention to the blonde sat in front of him. She was smiling! Ha had been had and she was smiling! Tongue in cheek, he got up and waited for Sue to put on her jacket and grab Levi’s leash and then the couple exited the bullpen, his hand comfortably resting at the small of her back.

Welcome to the Spring Challenge Ornella!

Don't worry about being petrified! I was too when I entered my first challenge as a novice writer. You will do just great! And here is a

to show all the support you will receive!

And your English is awesome!

I am ashamed to say that I only speak English and am in awe of those who speak more than one language.

Now, you have started out great, have the team totally in character. I can't wait to see where you take your story!

Lynn

great start, looking forward to more

cath

wow, poor jack... now everyone is going to lunch with them. I guess bobby is going to have his fun now. Haha.
I can't wait to see what happens next!!
UPDATE SOON!!

Welcome Ornella! Just remember, writing a challenge is still like writing a regular story, except for the fact that you have a deadline.

You're off to a great start and I can't wait to see where this leads.

These are just a few of my reactions to discovering that you had started posting a story here. Ornella, your English is no need to apologize at all. I too am in awe of your fluency with two languages. Love this first post -- the way that the team jumped right in on poor old Jack! Even if they do tag along, at least he can still Sue-watch!

kav

Fantastic start Ornella! No one would ever guess that English isn't your first language....you're doing a wonderful job!

And your characters are so... "in character"....I can picture them!

I especially loved this part.

My dearest Ornella has posted a story! And a challenge story no less!!! Wonderful start!

I must ditto Cindy here:



Exactly

Fantastic start and I can't wait to see more!!

Thanks for your kind replies.


They had just returned from their lunch when a clerk entered the bullpen looking for Special Agent Jack Hudson. The man gave an envelope to Jack and exited the room.
Jack opened the envelope and let slid on his desk its contents. There was just a picture.
- What the…- Jack’s surprised exclamation drew the attention of his team-mates who gathered around his desk.

- What is it? - Sue asked.

Jack turned the picture for all to see. Lucy squinted her eyes to get a better look.
- Ewww! – She exclaimed upon recognizing a big expanse of water carpeted with dead fishes.

- There’s something written on the back. - Jack announced turning the photograph around.

- Stop them or we’ll be forced to stop them ourselves - Myles read and then glanced at his colleagues. They were clearly as perplexed as him.

- Bobby, stop that clerk and question him. - Jack ordered after some moments.

- You can’t seriously be considering investigating on this photograph! – The Bostonian protested while Bobby was exiting the room.

- Why not?-

- Because it could be just a joke! I mean, there are dead fishes on that picture!-

- I’m perfectly aware of the subject of that picture, Myles. But we won’t know if this is some kind of joke until we’ll do the proper investigations.

- Then, pass this “case” to the EPA. It’s their job.-

- There’s a threat on the back of that picture and we have to verify the seriousness of that threat. This is our job. - Jack’s tone was calm but authoritarian and Myles raised his hands in mock surrender. – Besides, it’s not like we have something better to do…-

- You have a point there. - The Bostonian conceded. – I’ll bring the picture and the envelope to the lab.-

- Tell them to send me the results on my computer. – Tara suggested.

A couple of minutes later, Bobby entered the bullpen and gave Tara a piece of paper.
- The envelope has been brought by a pony express. I have the name.-

- And I have the address. - Tara added.

- Bobby, bring Sue with you. See if there was any camera inside or outside the building. I’m going to talk with Garrett.-

***

Bobby heard loud voices coming from the bullpen and quickened his steps, followed by a confused Sue. They entered the bullpen unnoticed, but stayed at the entrance.

- I’m just saying that I’m more at ease with technology! – Tara fumed. – It’s more reliable than nature! It’s more exact! It’s more…-

- Nonsense! – Lucy exploded. – Technology is a product of the mankind, nature is God’s creation! It’s in His hands! How can something be more perfect! –

- You’re right, Lucy. Nature is wonderful. But can be perfected. By the hands of the mankind . – Completely unperturbed by the astonished and indignant look on Lucy’s face, Myles continued. – My roses, for example, are a stunning testimony of the beauty of nature but they’re wonderful because I took care of them, because I bought the best products, invented by the mankind , to turn them from a bush of flowers into a work of art!-

Sensing the tension in the bullpen rising, Bobby decided to make their presence known.
- Are we interrupting something?-

- We were… talking about our… different approaches to nature. – Tara answered.

- Ah! Nature! I have wonderful memories tied to nature. – Bobby exclaimed.

- Camping?- Lucy asked.

Bobby shook his head and failed to notice the dreadful look on Jack’s face.
- Hunting. – The Australian answered, smiling at the memories. But his smile faded quickly at the look of disgust on the faces of the ladies. – What?!-

- You can’t shoot poor armless animals! – Tara protested.

- Why not? Why is it more acceptable to you to shoot people than to shoot wild animals?-

- Because they can’t shoot you back! – Lucy retorted angrily.

- Enough! - Jack’s loud and clearly irritated voice roared in the bullpen, his face severe. Everyone fell silent. – Did you find out anything? – He asked the Australian.

- The person in charge at the pony express doesn’t remember the person who brought that envelope. – Bobby informed him.

- But he let us watch there the video of the inside of the building. The… suspect is a woman. But we couldn’t see her face because she wore a baseball cap. By her movements I’d say she knew where the video cameras were and she avoided them very carefully. There wasn’t any external video camera.- Sue added.

Jack nodded, and then turned his attention to Tara.

- The envelope and the picture were clean. No fingerprints, except for yours, Jack, and those of the clerk and of the personal of the pony express.-

- How…-

- Both the person in charge at the pony express, Mr. Miller, and the kid who brought here the envelope had minor trouble with the justice in the past. - Answered Tara, interrupting Myles’ question. The Bostonian smiled, admiration evident in his eyes, and the perky agent blushed.

- So, we have nothing. – Jack commented, discouraged.

- Absolutely nothing, mate. But at least I spent the afternoon with a beautiful woman and out of this sad building… - Bobby winked at Sue who blushed in response, Jack glowered, Myles smirked and Tara and Lucy chuckled.

- Ok, people. Go home. See you tomorrow for more paperwork! – Jack ordered, getting up.

- Yoohoo! – Lucy exclaimed without conviction.

loved bobby teasing jack and myles pontificating about his roses, wonder if he will take the credit for creating them in the first place?

cath

Ornella

You have set the stage in a most intriguing manner!

We all know, as does Jack, a photo sent to our favorite team has to be a clue. But, is it a clue from the perpetrator or from someone wanting to bring attention to a crime or from a partner wanting to stop a crime from happening? So many directions....which way is this going to go? Will be waiting to see.....

Lynn

Great questions Lynn....I'm wondering too.

Interesting case you're setting up here Ornella. I really enjoyed the little arguments between the team members, lol. In a group with so many different personalities, it's bound to happen every now and then.

Oooohh, this is sounding really interesting! I'm excited.....post more!!

I'm kinda grossed out about the dead fish though.... ICK. That must smell REALLY bad...

Keep up the great work!

Ella

p.s. I have to agree with everyone, I would never have been able to tell english is not your first language... and you know what I've noticed? The people who have learned English as a 2nd or 3rd language speak it better and more correctly than those of us who were born with it.... go figure huh?

I have to agree with that. Of course, that's because others are learned the proper way and after we've had the english language shoved down our throats for twelve years, we don't really want to use it properly... does that make any sense or am I just babbling?

The banter was very entertaining. I could picture it.

Welcome to the challenge, Ornella!! I'm very excited that you have decided to join in!! You are doing a beautiful job with English!! I have to agree that if you had not told us I never would have guessed that it is not your first language!!!

As soon as I started reading your post, I felt as if I was watching a new episode!! You have everyone in perfect character and I could hear all the bantering and see the expressions on everyone's faces!!!

I can't wait to see where you are going to take us from here!! So far you have me very intrigued!!!

Joy

It's because the person who studies a foreign language learns it in a proper order and in formal contexts such as school, University... This means that that person will probably be as good as any native speaker of that language concerning the grammar but his/her vocabulary will be limited and probably very formal. On the contrary, the native speaker is master of the language and tends to adapt the language to his/her needs, changing it, improving it... In brief, creating the language all over again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Little disclaimer: I don’t know anything about gardening so, please, bear with me. Everything is just functional to the story.


Tara drove carefully through the heavy traffic and parked in front of her apartment.
The moment she stepped outside her vehicle she heard a loud thunder and a heavy rain began to fall. She hurried to her front door and frantically searched for the keys in her purse. By the time she entered the apartment, she was soaked and shivering. Looking out the front window she noticed, slightly irritated, that the rain had stopped.

***

Myles entered his house, changed in more comfortable clothes and then headed outside again.
Approaching his beloved roses, he tensed when he saw the crouching figure of Webber behind them, clearly looking after his own flowers.
- Webber.-

- Leland. - The man straightened.

- Beautiful flowers. – Myles complimented politely. – But you should use more … sophisticated products… - He added, nodding towards the bag of organic manure laying a couple of feet away. – If you want I could suggest you a couple of excellent brands of fertilizer and of efficacious pesticides…-

- No, thanks. I prefer to leave my garden in the hands of Mother Nature.- Webber replied, resuming his task.

- Yeah, whatever.- Myles mumbled.

Turning his attention to his roses, Myles frowned noticing a small number of little bugs on their delicate petals and re-entered the house. A couple of minutes later, he returned to his roses and sprayed a moderate amount of pesticide on the plants. Satisfied, he turned his attention to the rest of his garden.



***


Lucy and Sue exited the grocery store with a couple of bags.
- I liked what you said to Myles, today. – Sue commented, watching Lucy took from the bags a fruit candy.

- Thank you. Well, it’s true! That man is so full of himself! And has absolutely no respect for nature! – The rotor said and then popped the candy in her mouth, letting the wrapper fall to the ground.

- It’s the pot calling the kettle black.- Sue commented in a stern voice.

- Now, why are you telling me this?- Lucy asked, offended.

- The wrapper, Lucy. You let it fall to the ground. -

- It’s just a tiny piece of paper! – Lucy protested.

- And plastic.-

- Ok. And plastic. But everyone does it!-

- And that would be an excuse?! It’s a bad habit, Luce.-

- Yeah, whatever.-


***

Bobby and Jack walked to their cars after having spent the evening playing pool.
- I missed a great argument today, haven’t I? – Bobby asked, smiling.

- You didn’t miss much. In fact, I’d say that the tension in the bullpen moved up a notch thanks to you. - Jack commented. – Why did you bring up your passion for hunting? You upset the girls.-

- And you, apparently.-

- Well, you know that I don’t like hunting.- Jack replied, shrugging.

- Yeah, I know. But you never told me why you don’t like hunting. I mean, there’s nothing more exciting than hunting! You wait, study your prey, take aim and at the end there are just you and your prey. Then you shoot and… - Bobby’s voice faltered when understanding suddenly dawned on him.

- Yeah… you shoot and take a life. When I was a sniper and I waited for someone to tell me to pull the trigger, I spent too many hours thinking about what it would be like to be the one at the wrong end of the barrel, at the wrong end of the foresight… I really don’t like hunting.-

The two men reached their cars in silence.

i can understand why jack doesn't like hunting,

cath

Both of those posts were beautiful, Ornella! I can understand Jack's reservations on hunting and it's so nice to see why!

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Wow... this story is really insightful!

I'm loving it!

i can't wait for more. Please update soon!!!

You are good. It's a very interesting start. I can't wait... i want to know what is going to happen from now.... please write soon.

I'm new here and i'm not very sure about the post time. I just hope you can write more very soon. I really like it.... sounds lile the beginig of a very good story.

I'm so excited my thoughts are yammering every which way. Firsh to Myles for not being an organic gardener. Doesn't he care about this planet? What pesticides do to our pets and children...never mind the animal population? And to Bobby hunting, though I when I readThis is why I love Jack so much! This is a wonderful time to be writing and reading this -- just after Earth Day and as we begin to watch Mother Nature work her Spring magic all around us.

kav

This is a creative, intriguing story that you have started here. I agree that I wouldn't have expected that English isn't your first language. The way that Jack, Myles, and Bobby each reacted to the discussion about nature and to the idea of hunting fit their personalities perfectly.

Excellent Ornella

Agree wholeheartedly with Ivory's statement: The way that Jack, Myles, and Bobby each reacted to the discussion about nature and to the idea of hunting fit their personalities perfectly.

I especially love that you have Jack not liking to hunt. That really does fit his character. And also agree with Kav: This is a wonderful time to be writing and reading this -- just after Earth Day and as we begin to watch Mother Nature work her Spring magic all around us. My white lilies are just coming into bloom which is very late for them. But I'm glad they waited until I arrived home from dad's so I can watch their beautiful blossoms over the next couple of weeks before I go back to KS.

Welcome Sakurita! Warning! You will become addicted to this site! Wonderful group of people out here!

Lynn

I definately can understand Jack's dislike for hunting. I dislike the "sport" for much the same reason, though I can't really say that I've been a sniper... so that part excluded.

I have the feeling that these seperate little scenes will seem important as the story continues to grow. I don't know why, but the part with Myles and his pesticides was what really caught my attention. There's just something about that part that I don't like.

I will have to agree - I think in this particular case I'm on Webber's side!! And, Lucy, DON'T LITTER!!!

Bobby and Jack's talk about hunting really brought home what being a sniper meant to Jack!! It is a form of hunting, and I can totally understand why Jack doesn't like the sport!!!

Joy

I can totally see why Jack doesn't like hunter... too much like being a sniper.

This is great so far!!! I can't wait for more!

Em

Thanks for your replies. Welcome sakurita kiut! Lynn is right. This site is addictive. But it’s a wonderful addiction! As for the time of my posts, keep this in mind: I’m Italian. This means that when in the East Coast of the USA is 20:00, here is 02:00!



19th April


Bobby lifted is eyes from Berta when he heard a mumbled “Good morning” form Tara.
- What happened? – The Australian asked, trying not to mile at the sorry image presented by his colleague. She was soaked. Her hair was damp and stuck to her face, her clothes had changed colour and , Bobby noticed with surprising pleasure, her shirt was practically transparent. At her feet there was already a little puddle.

- I… I… don’t know… I mean, this morning, like every morning, I watched the weather forecast on my favourite channel. That weather man is never wrong! When he says that it’ll rain then it’ll rain. When he says that’ll be sunny then it’ll be sunny. It’s his job! He has every kind of sophisticated technology!-

- Calm down, sheila! What are you rambling about? –

- Today the weather man said that it would be a sunny day.-

- And it is…-

- But it rained on me! The moment I stepped outside my apartment, it started to rain, hard, and then it stopped when I entered the car! It’s almost as if there’s a cloud right above my head! –

- You’re not making any sense, luv. – Bobby commented with a gentle smile, helping her to take off her drenched jacket. – You’re shivering. Are you cold? –

- No! I mean… yes… - She answered, blushing. – I’m going to change. – And she fled form the room, leaving a smiling Bobby in the middle of the room.


***


- Could you take this for just a moment, please? - Lucy asked, handing Sue the box of donuts she was carrying. After having fumbled in her purse for a couple of minutes, Lucy produced a candy.

- I love these candies! – She exclaimed enthusiastically.

- I noticed. – Sue commented, trying to balance the donuts on one hand and the coffees on the other. – You’ve already finished them! –

Lucy just shrugged and popped the candy in her mouth, letting the wrapper fall to the ground. Then she took the coffees Sue was handing her.
The wrapper had barely touched the pavement when it was lifted again in the air by a sudden gust of wind and hit Lucy squarely on the face.

Startled, Lucy let drop the coffees that hit the ground and splashed all over Lucy’s trousers and shoes.


***


- Thanks for showing up, Leland. – Jack commented dryly when the Bostonian entered the now full bullpen.

The blonde agent ignored him and kept striding purposefully towards his desk, a little plastic bag in one hand and a book in the other. Sitting in his chair, the Bostonian rested the two items on his desk and took a magnifying lens out of one of the drawers.
Their curiosity piqued, the other agents got up and gathered around his desk.

- What’s up, mate? – Bobby asked, observing his colleague attentively studying the plastic bag.

Myles ignored him and opened the book.
- Myles? – Sue’s gentle voice caught the ear of the Bostonian.

- What? – He asked, glancing up for a brief moment.

- What are you doing? – Jack asked patiently.

- I’m studying the enemy. – Was the cryptic answer.

- Care to elaborate, Harvard? –

Myles raised a hand, silently asking for patience. After some moments he sighed and turned his attention to his friends.
- Yesterday evening I noticed some bugs on my roses. I sprayed the flowers with one of the most efficacious pesticide on the market to eliminate them. But this morning I checked on my precious creatures and I noticed that there were more bugs! So I took one of those little destroyers and I bought a book of entomology. This satanic creature, ladies and gentlemen, is an aphid. A veritable scourge for my roses. –

- So, what are you going to do now? – Sue asked, the only one showing sincere concern for Myles’ roses.

- Destroy these little monsters! Failure is not an option!

I love this!and I think Mother Nature is having a hissy fit! And for once I'm rooting for somebody other than the team! I can't wait for them to learn their lesson...did I mention I am a birkenstock toting, organic gardening, earth friendly cleaning products, fairly traded kind of gal?

kav

It would seem that mother nature is conspiring against our favorite team, and with good reason, except for Sue, who already seems to be cognizant of the damage being done to our planet! I am excited to see where you go with this ornella! The team will turn around, won't they?

Lynn

Great posts!

That sounds just like Myles. He gets so passionate about everything he does.

Oh Ornella, I loved that post! Bobby and Tara are so cute and I love Myles! He's so Myles like!

Perfectly done!

update soon i can't wait to find out what happens next!!

I have to agree with everyone - the team needs to learn a lesson!!!

Joy

Yup, there's certainly a lesson for everyone to learn, though the questuib us whether or not they'll catch on quickly.

Oh no! Something tells me Nature is out for revenge

Em

Sorry for not having posted yesterday but I didn’t have the time to write. At the end of the day I was so tired that I fell asleep in the bathtub!



Returning from lunch, Jack found another envelope on his desk.
- There’s another one. – He announced and opened it.

- Ewww! Gross! – Lucy exclaimed.

- I think I’m going to be sick. – Tara commented, scrunching up her face.

- It’s a dead fish! – Myles exclaimed, disgusted.

- Thanks for having pointed out the obvious, Myles. Again. – Jack commented, moving to the side the plastic bag containing the animal and extracting a piece of paper from the envelope.

– The planet demands justice. Stop them or Sunday we’ll help the planet to obtain it. – Sue read over Jack’s shoulder.

- Lucy, bring these things to the lab. I want the results ASAP. – Jack ordered.

Lucy nodded, grabbed the objects, albeit reluctantly, and exited the room.

- So, who’s sending us these charming gifts? – Myles asked.

- Probably some militant ecologist group. – Tara proposed.

- Then, why sending us these threats? I mean, usually they act on their intentions without warning the FBI… - Bobby commented.

- Maybe it’s someone who doesn’t want to act on those intentions and is hoping that we’ll stop their enemy without violence… - Sue suggested.

- Maybe… - Jack conceded. – But we should check on the more troublesome ecologist groups anyway…However, we have a date. They’ll act in three days, for the Earth Day.

- How symbolic…- Myles commented, sarcastically.

- I think that’s the point, Myles. – Lucy commented, re-entering the bullpen.

- I’ll check on the groups. – Tara offered and hurried to her desk.

- I’ll help you. – Bobby added, following the perky agent.

- Lucy, see if you can help too. This is the only lead we have. – Jack suggested.

- And me? – Asked the Bostonian.

- I’m sure you have some paperwork on your desk that’s feeling neglected… –

Myles glared at his team-leader but returned to his desk, leaving just Sue with Jack.

- I think we should follow Myles’ example… - Jack commented after some moment of silence.

- What is your approach to nature? – Sue asked suddenly.

- Uh?-

- What is your approach to nature? Yesterday you didn’t say anything. –

- Neither did you. – Jack reminded her.

- True. But I asked first. – The analyst said, smiling and winking.

Jack smiled. Sue was something else. He couldn’t deny her anything.
- I love nature. I grew up in a town full of parks, trees… And I and my father used to go camping every month. My parents taught me to respect nature. But I think that these ecologist groups are exaggerating. First, terrorism can’t be a solution. Never. Secondly, they act and talk as if nature was a sentient being with feelings and ideas, as if it was capable of revenging itself for the wrongs suffered. –

- Maybe it is… - Sue proposed softly.

- No. Tornados are just the result of physic factors not the manifestation of Mother Nature’s wrath. And I can’t believe you agree with them. They’re transforming nature in a kind of God! - Jack protested quite vehemently. His friends glanced at him but soon returned to their work.

- I don’t agree with them. I don’t approve terrorism. – Sue reproached sternly but then softened her tone. – But I think you’re giving nature less credit than it deserves. I’m not saying that tornados, storms, earthquakes aren’t the results of physic factors. But nature is just another manifestation of God and maybe, sometimes, He likes to remind us that He gave us this world to treasure it and not to destroy and exploit it. –

With a parting smile Sue returned to her desk, leaving Jack to his thoughts.


***

- Jack! We have the results. – Bobby announced from behind Tara’s desk. The team gathered around the two agents.

- The envelope, the piece of paper and the bag were clean. – Tara explained - But we have a lot of information on the fish. He has been poisoned with a mixture of chemical compounds.-

- What compounds? – Jack asked.

- A lot of unpronounceable names, mate. – Bobby answered, defeated

- And it’s not important. – Tara added, smiling.

- I beg to differ. It is essential. – Myles objected.

- Not if m… our Tara has already found out what industries use this kind of mixture. - Bobby explained proudly, smiling broadly at the blushing woman beside him.

- Textile industries. – Tara informed. – But there are a lot of textile industries in Virginia. I haven’t had the time to narrow down the list, yet. –

- You’ll do it tomorrow. – Jack said. - Now it’s time to go home. Good job. -

great post, hope this brings them some kind of lead

cath

Oh puleeeeeeeease tell me he was going to say My Oh how sweet!

Aw... Bobby was going to call her his Tara. How sweet!

Me too!

Em

WOW, THEY ARE HEADING SOME WHERE.
update SOON!

Thanks for your replies. Here's a looong one.



Tara drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, looking at her front door. After some moments, she glanced at her watch. Ten minutes. Leaning forward, she tried to look at the sky. It was dark but she was able to see a couple of stars on the horizon and some little harmless clouds above the city. She glanced again at her watch and then at her front door.
- This is ridiculous! I can’t stay here all evening! – Her voice echoed in the empty car.

Sighing loudly, she opened the door and slowly stepped outside the vehicle. When nothing happened she smiled, exultant. She slammed the door of the car and set out for home. She was just feet away from the car when a heavy rain began to fall, soaking her. Letting out a frustrated cry, she hurried to her front door.


***


Myles observed Webber’s roses with a deep hatred. That bush was wonderful, full of buds and of little red roses that were oozing with health. He forced his eyes to look again at his own roses. The pesticide had no effect on the flowers. On the contrary! There were more bugs. His poor, once beautiful roses were now invaded and almost totally covered with aphids. Myles fought the urge to weep right there and then. His roses were the only things that kept him sane. His flowers and his friends. Thanks to them he was able to get up every day to face a terrible world. His roses reminded him of the beauty still existing on the planet and his friends reminded him of the values he was working so hard to protect. He couldn’t lose them. Unfortunately, he had very little control on the fate of his friends but he could and would control the future of his roses. Feeling reinvigorated, Myles hurried to his car. Twenty minutes later, he sprayed his plants with the best, and most expensive, pesticide on the market.


***


Lucy drank the remaining of her diet coke and then threw the tin towards the public garbage can but she missed it. Shrugging, she turned around and resumed her walking.
Arriving home, she found Sue sweeping the floor in the kitchen.
- What happened? – She asked her friend after having drawn her attention.

- Levi. – Sue said as if that would explain everything. Seeing the curiosity on the face of her friend, the analyst explained. – I was drinking some orange juice when Levi advised me quite enthusiastically of a phone call. I opened a couple of windows so that the floor can dry faster. –

Lucy nodded and went to her room to change but she stopped on the threshold, an incredulous look on her face.
- Sue! – She hollered.

Some moments later her friend arrived and stopped beside her, the same expression on her face.
- What happened here? – Sue asked, astonished.

- I hoped you could explain it to me… - Lucy commented with a pointed look.

- What do you mean? – Sue asked, perplexed.

- That if this is some kind of lesson, I didn’t appreciate it at all. – Lucy answered, glancing at the rubbish that covered the floor of her room and her bed. But the indignant look on her friend’s face proved her she was wrong. – Sorry, Sue. It’s just that… what happened here? –

- I really don’t know, Luce… Look! – Sue pointed at the open window with a surprised look.

Lucy observed fascinated a piece of newspaper, carried by the wind, flying through the window and settling on her bed.



***



Bobby took a sip from his bottle of water and then wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his running gear. Breathing deeply he resumed his run. His mind returned to his discussion with Jack the previous evening. He had been an insensitive drongo! He should have stopped talking the moment he saw Jack become uncomfortable… It was easy to read his friend, his emotions were clear in his eyes. But he ignored them because he wanted a playmate for his hunting session. He missed hunting. Everything he had said to Jack was true. He loved hunting. And Jack’s words couldn’t change this fact. He felt powerful when he was hunting. It was a duel between him and his prey. A duel when he was smarter and more powerful of his prey.

The sudden noise of a thunder interrupted his thoughts. There had been an awful lot of thunders during the evening. He slowed down and looked around. He was going through the park. This meant that he was near his apartment. He hoped to return home before the impending storm.

He saw a shadow on his peripheral vision. Probably a dog, he mused. But he quickened his pace nonetheless. A chill invaded him and he shivered. He turned around but what he saw made him nearly pass out.

Behind him, at approximately two hundred feet from his position, there was a leopard. Its spotted fur was illuminated by the light of the brightest moon Bobby could remember, but maybe it was just the terror invading him that was distorting his perceptions. Surely there couldn’t be a leopard in the middle of Washington DC… But its white, sharp teeth seemed pretty real to him. Bobby was petrified and felt absolutely powerless. He didn’t know what to do. There wasn’t anything about how to face a leopard in the FBI handbook. He stayed still, observing the animal observing him. He remembered not to watch the beast straight in the eye; he sure wasn’t ready for a challenge with a wild predatory.

After a couple of endless minutes, the leopard apparently lost interest in him and went away. Bobby let out a shaking breath. He was shivering and shaking and his heart was thundering against his chest. He needed to go home. Immediately. The Australian started running faster and faster. But he halted suddenly when he saw the leopard in front of him, at almost one hundred feet from his position.
A tree. He needed a tree. He could climb on it and… NO! Leopards can climb. The tree is not a good idea. Fire. He needed fire. Animals were scared of fire. Yeah, and where did he find some fire? He observed the leopard get up and go away. Again.

Bobby wasted no time in resuming his run. He ran as fast as his contracted muscles allowed him. He heard a noise and turned his head. On his right there was the leopard that was following him, running in parallel with him. But if Bobby had now reached the limit of his strength, the leopard seemed rested and full of energy.

A white light blinded him for a second. The road! He was near his house! He turned towards the leopard but the animal wasn’t there anymore. Bobby turned on himself but, for the life of him, couldn’t see the beast. He resumed running. He was sure that if the leopard didn’t tear him to pieces first, he would die from a heart attack.
When he reached the deserted road, Bobby turned around. The leopard was there, at the limit of the park, watching him. Bobby glanced towards his front door. Just two hundred feet. And then he glanced towards the leopard. It was still there but it was slowly advancing towards him. The Australian decided to walk instead of run. Maybe the leopard would follow his example… It seemed to work.
Bobby kept walking, fumbling for his keys in the pockets of his running gear. When he found them, he extracted them from the pocket and selected the right key, constantly glancing behind his back at the animal following him.

He was just a couple of feet away from his door when the leopard sprang forward with unbelievable strength and grace. Bobby threw itself on his front door, opened it and slid into his apartment, slamming the door behind him and securing it. A second later he heard the leopard hurling itself against the door.
- God bless armoured doors! – Bobby said out loud, his voice faint and weird to his own ears.

The leopard roared in frustration. Bobby’s heart stopped at that sound. The Australian heard the leopard clawing one last time at the door and then nothing.
Bobby let himself slide to the ground, his legs like jelly, and tried to control his erratic breathing and his hammering heart.

Ornella

That was a most awesome post! Way to go!

Myles - I'm worried about his vindictiveness! It's as though his worst character trait is taking control of him.

Poor Bobby, scared to death almost. That was magnificant the way you described his fear.

Lucy seems very blase about littering, which isn't really like her; but, I think she must be a representative of all those who litter.

Tara, I haven't quite figured out why she gets rained on all the time.

And even poor Levi is not immune.

I love this and can't wait to see what happens next and where this is headed.

Lynn

loved the picture of bobby being hunted, maybe he'll change his mind about the whole thing

cath

Wow, Bobby being hunted gave me the shivers. Maybe now he'll realize what those weaker animals feel like when they're being hunted by him.

Myles, Myles, Myles, when is that man going to realize that maybe the aphids are attracted to the pesticides? I know how hard it is to do, but he should take a note from Webber and not use them all together.

I never thought Lucy to be the littering type, though it's probably one of those things that most people don't realize they're doing and I think Lucy's going to start to caring about what she drops on the ground, now.

And Tara... I still can't figure out why it continues to rain on her when she's so close to her front door. Hmmm.... what has she done against nature that makes it think it needs to fight back?

This story is great!!!!!

Em

This is very, very interesting!!!

Joy

Lynn, maybe Mother Nature is trying to help her grow! I'm not sure what's happening here -- is it really MOther Nature having a hissy fit? The leopard was scary -- though perhpas she was female and acting on instinct once she spotted Bobby's dimples.

kav

Sorry for the delay. This week has been hectic and I didn’t have the time or the concentration to write something. My fault! Next time I won’t post a story until it is finished.

20th April


- There are eight textile industries near the coast. Here there are their addresses. – Tara said, giving out a piece of paper to each agent.

- Good job, Tara. – Jack praised and then looked at the document in his hands. – Tara, Bobby. You two go to the first three addresses. Myles, you go to the following three addresses and bring Lucy with you if it’s ok with her. – Jack shifted his gaze to the rotor who nodded enthusiastically. – Perfect. I and Sue will go to the other two addresses and then will pay a visit to the headquarters of an ecologist group which had had some problem with the FBI in the past. Now, let’s move! We have just two days to prevent these people from doing something stupid. –


***


- Mr. Simmons seemed sincere. – Tara said entering a deli, followed by a thoughtful Bobby. – But his subordinate, Mr. Woolsey, was clearly hiding something… In fact, he was the only person who became nervous when we introduced ourselves…-

- Hmm hmm. – Bobby commented with a vacant look.

- Bobby? Are you ok? – Tara asked, worried.

- Yeah, sheila. I’m alright. – Bobby answered after some seconds.

- Liar. You’ve been inattentive all morning. And you look horrible! Have you even slept tonight? –

- Jeez, thanks luv! You know how to cheer up a man! – Bobby commented, smiling for the first time that day and winking to the perky agent sit in front of him. A slight blush coloured Tara’s cheeks and she lowered momentarily her gaze.

- So? - She pressed when Bobby didn’t resume talking.

- So what? – Bobby asked, clearly confused. Tara rolled her eyes.

- So, did you sleep at all tonight? What happened to you? You’re not yourself, today. –

Bobby observed the woman in front of him. She was clearly worried for him and that thought inexplicably warmed his heart. He pondered her question, wondering if she would have considered him crazy. But then she touched his hand with her delicate one, her gaze warm and full of compassion, and he blurted out the events of the previous evening.

- It must have been awful! – Tara commented, squeezing his hand for comfort.

- Well… yes. I’ve never been so scared in all my life! Wait a minute! You believe me?! – The Australian asked, incredulous.

- Sure! Why shouldn’t I? – Tara asked perplexed. – I trust you completely, Bobby. –

Bobby’s heart made a somersault and he couldn’t stop the big smile that appeared on his face and dug two deep hollows in his cheeks. He observed her turning her face to hide the blush and glancing around the room. Suddenly, she got up and approached a man who was reading a newspaper at the other side of the little room. She returned a couple of minutes later with the newspaper and laid it on the table.
- And now everyone else will believe you. – She announced triumphantly, pointing at the lower part of the first page.

Bobby turned the newspaper and read avidly the article indicated by his friend.
- Here it says that yesterday evening a lightning hit the zoo causing a bleak out and a female leopard escaped from its cage. The beast returned to the zoo after a couple of hours without causing any trouble. Evidently they didn’t see my front door! –

- If it didn’t cause any trouble, then why it chased you? I mean, just you? – Tara asked perplexed.

- What can I say? Women keep saying I’m a good catch! – Bobby said and winked.