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Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #100

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#100

“That Boy Could Dance”

Title: “That Boy Could Dance”

Album: Weird Al Yankovic In 3D

Written: Al Yankovic

Release Date: 1984

Genre: Pop Rock or Power Pop

Style Parody: This is debated by the fans. Some believed that this was a pastiche of the Doobie Brothers while others do not agree.

A fun and energetic song that was an early original for Weird Al. It was not listed on some versions of the In 3D album because of space.

Lyrics

We all used to call him Jimmy the geek
He was a dumb looking, scrawny little four-eyed freak
He never used to hang around with the guys
He’d just sit in the corner
Attracting the flies

He wasn’t much to look at
He never was very bright
But at least there was one thing that he could do alright

That boy could dance
That boy could dance, yeah

He was kind of a jerk
He was kind of a bore
But the women would scream when he walked in the door
There’s one thing I can tell you for sure
That boy could dance

Pickin’ teams, he would always be last
He couldn’t run very far
He couldn’t think very fast
If he was on your side, you’d always lose
That guy had a problem
Even tying his shoes

He never passed his drivers test
He was always afraid of cars
And he had a complexion
That resembled the surface of Mars

But that boy could dance
That boy could dance, yeah

Well, his hair was a mess
And his clothes didn’t fit
He smelled pretty bad
And he drooled just a bit
But you gotta admit
Boy, that boy could dance

Now that boy is much older
He got his own dance studio
He got a teeny bopper fan club
Yeah, he got his own TV show

Now he owns half of Montanna
They all call him “Diamond Jim”
And you know I’d do anything if I could be just like him

‘Cause that boy could dance
That boy could dance
That boy could dance
(Now that boy could dance)
That boy could dance, dance
(Now that boy could dance)

That boy could dance
(Now that boy could dance)
That boy could dance, yeah
(Now that boy could dance)
I said that boy could dance
(Now that boy could dance)

That boy could dance, yeah
(Now that boy could dance)
That boy could dance

Source: Musixmatch

“don’t read the last message”

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      “dont read the last message.”

           Horror story

That message wasn’t meant for her,

 That’s what made it worse.

 At 1:42 AM, Mara’s phone buzzed. She was half asleep, Face buried into her pillow, When the vibration dragged her back to consciousness. She groaned, Fumbling blindly across her night stand until her fingers found the screen. One notification.Unknown number.No name, No picture.Just a message…

Unknown:Don’t read the last message.

Mara blinked at the screen 

“What?….”

Her brain felt slow, foggy with sleep. She checked the time again. 1:42 AM. Wrong number she whispered. She was about to put her phone down, Then paused. There wasn’t a last message..There’s only one. Mara’s thumb hovered over the screen. A weird, Prickly feeling creeped down her arms. Like when you’re being watched. She looked around her room. Dark, Quiet, Normal.

“ Yeah, ok,” Mara whispered. “ Great prank.”

She locked her phone and went back to bed.Buzz. She froze. Slowly… She picked the phone back up.

Unknown: I said don’t.

Mara’s chest tightened 

“Ok not funny.”

She sat up, her heart beating a little faster.

Mara: Who is this??

The typing bubble appeared instantly. 

Unknown: You weren’t supposed to see that.

Mara’s stomach twisted.

Mara: See what?

A pause. Longer this time..Then

Unknown: The last message.

Her grip tightened.

Mara: THERE IS NO LAST MESSAGE.

Three dots. Typing. Stopping. Typing again.

Unknown: There is.

A cold feeling slid down her spine

Mara: Then send it.

The typing bubbles stayed longer now. Like whoever or whatever was on the other side thinking. Then

Unknown: If you read it, It will know.

“It will know?”

A nervous laugh slipped out. “Ok…Creepy.” 

Mara: Know what

The response came slower this time.

Unknown: It knows you’re here.

Her room suddenly felt smaller 

Mara: I am here

The typing bubbles blinked on and off.

Unknown: Not like that..

Mara swallowed.

Mara: Then what do you mean

A long pause. So long she thought maybe they’d stopped responding. Then

Unknown: It thinks you’re still asleep.

Her heart skipped. Without meaning to, Mara started at her bedroom door. Still closed.Still normal. Right?

Mara: This isn’t funny.

Unknown: I’m not joking. Her fingers hovered across the screen.

Mara: What is “It”.

The typing bubbles appeared.Then it disappeared. Then it appeared again. Finally

Unknown: Don’t ask that.

Mara’s breath came slower this time. More careful. 

Mara: Why not.

A longer pause.

Unknown: Because it might answer.

Something shifted in the room. A sound, Soft. Barely there. From the hallway. Mara turned her head slightly. Silence. Her phone buzzed again.

Unknown: Did you hear that?

Her stomach dropped.

Mara: Hear what

Unknown: Don’t lie

Her chest tightened.

Mara: how do you know where i am

The reply came instantly.

Unknown: Because I’m not where you think I am.

A chill ran through her.

 “Ok, no.” She whispered. “Nope.”

The Unknown person called her and she put on headphones.

She swung her legs off of the bed, standing up.

“Im turning on the lights.”

Unknown: Don’t 

She froze

Mara: Why

The response took even longer.

Unknown: Because it will see you.

Her hand hovered over the light switch. Slowly…She pulled back.

Her heart was pounding now..

“ok.. ok…”  

She backed away from the door…She sat back on the edge of her bed

Mara: What do i do

The typing bubbles flickered 

Unknown: Stay where you are.

Unknown:Don’t make a sound.

Unknown: And whatever happens—

Unknown: Don’t read the last message..

Mara started at the screen. Her body shook with fear.

Mara: You keep saying that there is one but there ISN”T ONE.

Three dots appeared, then her phone screen changed.The chat scrolled up by itself. Mara’s breath caught, because now. There was another message. Above all the rest of the messages. A message she hadn’t seen before.. Sent hours ago

Unknown: It’s behind you

Mara stopped breathing

Her entire body tensed up. Her eyes slowly lifted. The room felt wrong… Way too wrong. Too quiet. Too still. Her phone buzzed again.

Unknown: Don’t turn around.

Her throat tightened

Mara: You said don’t read it.

Unknown: I know

Her hands shook

Mara: Then why is it here

A pause, Then 

Unknown: Because you weren’t

Supposed to wake up. The air in the room felt colder.

Heaver

Like something was pressing down on her

Mara: What happens if I turn around?

The typing bubbles flickered, Stopped, came back

 Unknown: It stops pretending.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. Behind her. Something moved. Not loud. Not fast. Just enough. A shift. Like a weight adjusting, on her bed. Right behind her Tears filled her eyes

“No…” She whispered 

Unknown: Stay still

She nodded, even though no one could see her.

Mara: What is it?

The reply came slower

Unknown: It learned you

Her stomach twisted 

Mara: What does that mean?

The answer took longer 

Long enough for Mara to feel something else. Breathing. Not hers but someone else behind her. Close

Unknown: It knows how you sound

Unknown: How you move

Unknown: How you think

A tear slid down her cheek

Mara: What does it want

Unknown: You

Her chest tightened

“Please…” She whispered

The bed dipping slightly 

 Something leaning closer 

Unknown: Don’t talk

She clenched her mouth closed. Her whole body trembled with fear, Her phone buzzed again 

Unknown: It likes when you talk

  She stopped breathing

Mara: How do i make it go away

A Long Pause then

Unknown: You cant

Her heart sank

Mara: Then what should i do

The response came slowly

Unknown: Pretend you are still asleep

Mara stuttered

Mara: What

Unknown: Lay down

Unknown: Close your eyes

Unknown: Don’t react 

Her hands shook as she laid down. She turned her head slightly.Facing away. Her eyes squeezed shut. Her phone rested on her chest. The screen still glowing

Unknown: Good

Her breathing slowed. Forced, Careful, Behind her, Something shifted again. Then a whisper. Right next to her ear

“ Mara…”

Sounded just like her voice..Her own voice, Closer

“Your awake”

Her fingers curled slightly

“ I can feel you breathing”

Her heart pounded 

“ I know you read it”

Tears slipped quietly down from her face

“ You shouldn’t have read it”.

The bed creaked. Weight shifting

Right above her now, Hovering

“ I liked it better when you didn’t know”

Her chest tightened

Unknown: It’s trying to get you to react

The whisper grew softer

“ Just turn your head”

Her eye twitched

“ Just a little”

She almost stopped breathing

“ I want to see your face”

Unknown: Don’t 

Silence. Long. Heavy.Then, A soft laugh. From right behind her ear

“ Your not as fun as the others

Her stomach dropped, Others?

Unknown: Don’t ask

Her heart was racing faster

“ I wonder how long you can pretend”
The weight shifted again

Then 

Gone

The bed lifted.

The air felt lighter

But she didn’t move

Didn’t open her eyes 

Didn’t breathe any differently 

Minutes passed 

Or hours

She didn’t know

Her phone buzzed

Unknown: It left

Mara stayed still

Unknown: You can move now

Slowly

She opened her eyes

The room was empty

Normal

Like nothing happened

her chest rose slightly 

She sat up

Her whole body shaking

Mara: Is it gone

A long pause

Then

Unknown: No

Her heart stopped

Mara: What do you mean

The typing bubbles appeared one last time

Unknown: It is where i am 

Her stomach dropped 

Mara: Where are you?

The reply came almost instantly 

Unknown: Look at the last message

Her breath caught

Her thumb shook as she scrolled upThe very first message. The

one she thought started at all, But now, It was different 

Unknown: Don’t read the last message

Below it, A new message

One she didn’t see before 

Sent just second ago

From her own number 

Mara: Its behind you

Her blood ran cold because she didn’t send that

And slowly

Very slowly

She felt it again

Right behind her

Breathing

Waiting

And this time there was no one left to text.

Mara looked around for something, Anything, She needed to get out of there.

She looked around and found a candle

The monster went up into flames, Then somehow transformed into a human and chased mara down the steps.

While mara was running she saw her mother lifeless on the floor as well as her brother and step-father. 

She ran outside but the door was locked but she took out a hair pin and picked the lock. The monster took out a lighter and grabbed mara’s arm, The monster then held the lighter under mara’s arm and watched it burn a little, Mara was screaming in pain hoping someone could hear her, Mara got the chance to run and almost made it, Almost.. Mara ran as blood and pain shot from her arm. The monster started running faster and grabbed her by the collar. The monster then threw her into a fence and Mara went down hard causing her eyes to swell closed. Neighbors then heard screaming from Mara and called 911, Mara could barely keep her eyes open. The monster then hid in the bushes and ran. The monster then found a car at a gas station and fled. Para medics showed up and took mara to the hospital.

“ She needs to go into surgery immediately.” Said the doctor. 

“ But sir! She needs to be on life support.” Said a nurse

“ I don’t care, get the operating table ready right now.” Said the doctor.

“ But Doctor…-.” Said the nurse.

“ Did I Stutter? Go get her on the table.” 

‘ yes sir.” said the doctor.

“The operation went well, but…” Said the doctor.

“ What do you mean but..” Said Mara’s sister. 

“ Well is she ok?” said Amber

“ Yes but she lost half of her memories, Like about her family or friends or etc but she still knows how to do most functions like talking, eating and sleep. The point is she doesn’t remember you.” said the doctor.

“ Oh, well can I see her.” Said amber

“ Yes of course.” Said the doctor

Amber walked in and saw Mara’s body with many fractures and many broken bones. Amber started crying uncontrollably. 

“ Don’t worry mara, I will find out who did this to you and they will pay for this.” Said Amber.

Mara then woke up and got startled by Amber. A few weeks later she was allowed to leave the hospital and Amber took her home.

Amber showed Mara her room and left for work. Mara went to the living room and turned on the T.V news channel. 

“ A new murders happened this morning. The killer ran and left the body with many bruises and cuts. The cuts almost look like axe marks. Goodbye and stay safe.” Said the news anchor.

“ woah.. That’s like a lot of people have been killed this week.” Said mara.

“ Wait, what if it’s amber? Haha no way she’s my sister. What if she isn’t. She didn’t have any ID or verification, and neither did I. I’m overthinking this.” though Mara.
Amber then walked through the door covered in what looked like blood. 

“ Amber, Are you covered in blood?” Said mara.

“Shoot she saw.” Amber whispered so only she could hear. 

Amber then took out a knife and tried stabbing mara but missed. Mara then ran out the door with her phone and called 911. Mara then hid in the bushes and amber passed her. The police then showed up and was amber covered in blood and arrested her.

The police then transferred Mara to child services and then she got introduced to a new home.

                                           Part 2

Years later mara had visions of the monster grabbing her arm, she then lifts up her shirt sleeve and looks at the life lasting scar.

Mara didn’t sleep that night

The phone sat on her desk, Screen dark but it felt like it was watching her

She turned it off three times already. Each time she powered it back on, the same message was still there at the top of the chat. Unknown: You weren’t supposed to read that

At 3:14 a.m, the phone vibrated again. Mara froze under her blanket. Another notification, Slowly she reached out and picked up her phone. 

Unknown: Now it knows you did.

Her chest tightened. Her room was silent except for the ticking of the cheap clock on the wall. 

“ Knows what” She whispered to her self

The typing dots appeared. Three gray dots. They blinked. Then it disappeared. Another message.

Unknown: Look behind you

Maras heart slammed against her ribs

“Nope..” She said immediately, “Forcing a laugh that sounded so fake even to her own ears.”

“Not doing that, I barely made it out last time.”

She tossed the phone onto the desk and rolled over to face the wall. But the silence behind her felt wrong. Heavy. Like something was standing there. Waiting. The phone buzzed again. Again. Again. Finally she grabbed her phone. 

Unknown: You didn’t look.

Unknown: Thats good.

Her stomach twisted

“ Good?” She muttered 

The typing bubbles returned. 

Unknown: Because if you had…It would have seen you.

Mara sat up

“ What would have seen me?” She typed.

  The reply came instantly.

Unknown: The thing in your messages 

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard

“Thats not funny.” She typed back

Three dots appeared, but before the next message arrived, Something else happened. Her phone camera turned on. The screen showed a live video feed of her room but the angle was wrong. The camera wasn’t facing her phone, it was pointing at her. Mara’s blood went cold. The video showed her sitting on her bed holding her phone, staring at the screen, and behind her Something moved. A tall shadow slid across the wall. Mara spun around. 

“ Nothing..? I could have sworn I saw something.” Mara whispered to herself.

 The room was empty. When she turned back to the phone, the shadow was closer now. Standing directly behind her, but she couldn’t see anything in the real room. Her hands shook with fear. she whispered “What is this.”

The reply came instantly. 

Unknown: You read the last message

Unknown: That opened the chat

“ What chat?’’ She typed

Unknown: The one between worlds.

Mara stared at the screen 

“This is a prank.” 

Unknown: I wish it was

Another message appeared 

Unknown: you need to stop responding

The she got goosebumps even though the room was warm.

“ Why?” 

They typing bubbles flickered longer this time. Finally. 

Unknown: Every message you send lets it get closer

Her throat tightened

Mara looked at the live video feed again. The shadow behind her had shape now. Too tall. Its head almost touching the ceiling, its arms were long and crooked, Like branches, And it was leaning toward her, 

“ But if i stop texting, what will happen?” she typed.

A new message appeared, but it wasn’t from him, It was from herself. 

Mara: Don’t read the last message. 

“ There is NO LAST MESSAGE.

Just then her phone scrolled up to this message she didnt see before, But just then she looked back at the video feed and the monster was gone, She look behind her and saw it but it was too late. She was gone

Blackwood

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Blackwood

Chapter 1

The Beginning

The royal family of Rosewood longed for children, but for many years they had none. Then at last, they were blessed with twins—a boy and a girl.

The boy was named Adrian Rosewood, and the girl was named Emma Rosewood.

The king and queen were overjoyed. They spoiled their children with love and riches. But as the years passed, Adrian grew rude and selfish, often mistreating the people of Rosewood.

Emma, however, was the complete opposite. She was kind and gentle, always helping the poor and giving from her own allowance. The people of the kingdom adored her.

The king and queen noticed the difference between their children and were proud of Emma.Adrian noticed it too.

And he hated it.Jealousy filled his heart. For years he treated Emma cruelly. Once, he even placed a snake in her bed just to frighten her. But their mother and father did nothing about it they said boys will be boys

When they turned seventeen, everything changed.To strengthen an alliance during a growing threat of war, Emma was arranged to marry Prince Sebastian Blackwood of the Dark Kingdom.

Chapter 2

The Wedding

Emma stood in her chamber, preparing to walk down the aisle to meet her future husband. She wore a beautiful black gown, and her hair was styled neatly in a delicate bun.

Across the palace, Sebastian adjusted his suit and pushed his dark hair back.In only ten minutes, he would be married. Sebastian had loved Emma for years.But Emma did not love him.

Her heart once belonged to Prince James of Silverwood.When they were children, while the other boys practiced sword fighting, James would walk beside her in the gardens and talk with her. He had been her first true friend.

But when Emma confessed her feelings to him, James revealed a painful truth. He had only spent time with her because his father hoped to gain land from Rosewood through her.

When the King of Rosewood refused, James’s father declared war.The war ended with defeat for Silverbrook, and James was imprisoned for years.

Until the day of Emma’s wedding.Just after Emma kissed Sebastian, the grand doors of the hall suddenly burst open.

Standing there was James, covered in dirt, fury burning in his eyes.He rushed forward, gripping what looked like a dagger.Before he could reach Emma, Sebastian struck him hard, knocking him to the ground. Guards quickly grabbed him.The newly married couple hurried into their carriage and left the palace.

Inside the carriage, silence filled the air.Finally, Sebastian spoke quietly.“If you don’t want this… I understand,” he said. “We’ve only just met. This is a lot.”

Chapter 3

The Carriage Ride

The carriage wheels rolled over the stone roads of Rosewood, echoing through the heavy silence.

Emma stared out the window, her wedding veil resting in her lap. The kingdom she had known her entire life slowly disappeared behind her.

Sebastian sat across from her, watching her carefully.“You still love him,” he said quietly.It wasn’t a question.

Emma swallowed.“I don’t know what I feel anymore.”

Sebastian leaned back slightly. “He tried to ruin our wedding.”“He was in prison for years,” Emma whispered. “What do you think that does to someone?”Sebastian’s jaw tightened, though his voice remained calm.“It doesn’t excuse showing up with a blade.”

Silence returned.

After a few minutes, Sebastian spoke more gently.“I never wanted you forced into this marriage. I agreed to the alliance because I thought… maybe one day you might care for me.”

Emma looked at him for the first time since they left the palace.“You’ve loved me for years,” she said softly. “Why?”Sebastian gave a small smile.

“When I visited Rosewood as a child, you were the only one who spoke to me like I was normal. Not like I was the prince of the Dark Kingdom.”

Something in Emma’s heart shifted.Suddenly the carriage jerked to a stop.Voices shouted outside.Sebastian’s calm expression instantly turned alert.

“Stay inside,” he said.Before Emma could answer, the carriage door burst open.

A guard stumbled backward—and behind him stood James.His eyes looked different now.Almost wild.“Emma,” he said quietly. “You’re coming with me.”

Sebastian stepped in front of her.“She’s my wife now.”James glared at him.“Not by choice.”

Emma’s heart pounded.“No!” she shouted. “Go home! You shouldn’t be here!”James looked at her with a strangely gentle expression.

“Come with me, Emma. We can be together like we always wanted.”Emma’s face hardened.“No,” she said firmly. “I love Sebastian. Now go home and leave us alone.”

Sebastian looked surprised. He had never seen her so angry before.They climbed back into the carriage and continued their journey.

Four hours later, they arrived at their new home.The castle stood tall and beautiful in the moonlight, flowers climbing along its stone walls.“It’s beautiful,” Emma whispered.Sebastian looked slightly nervous.

“I had it designed to feel like both of our homes,” he said. “I thought it might help you feel comfortable.”Emma smiled.“It’s perfect,” she said softly.

Chapter 4

Years Together

As the years passed, Emma and Sebastian grew very close.But on December 12, Sebastian seemed strangely angry.Emma tried to talk to him, but he yelled at her to leave.

Emma left the room in tears. She put on her coat and walked outside into the cold night air.She had wanted to tell him something important.She was going to have a baby.

As she walked through the woods, she practiced how she would tell him.Suddenly a branch snapped.Emma turned quickly, but she saw nothing.Another branch cracked.

Fear rushed through her chest.She ran back toward the castle. Just as she reached the door, a voice stopped her.“Emma.”Slowly, she turned around.

James stood behind her, covered in dirt—just like the last time she had seen him.“You need to leave,” Emma said nervously.James smiled slightly.“Don’t you miss me?” he asked. “I was your first love.” Emma shook her head.“Not anymore.”Then James said something that made her blood run cold.“The baby,” he said quietly. “How do you think your husband will react knowing I knew first?”Emma’s eyes widened.“You need to go,” she said. “You can’t be here.”

Chapter 5

Secrets in the Dark

Emma stood frozen as the cold wind moved through the trees.“I told you to leave,” she said.James stepped closer.“Why are you so scared?” he asked softly.Emma’s hand rested on her stomach without thinking.James noticed.“So it’s true,” he said quietly.

Before Emma could respond, the castle doors opened.Sebastian stepped outside.“What’s going on?” he asked.Emma hesitated.Then she told the truth.“It was James.”Sebastian’s face went still.“He came here?”

Emma nodded.“I needed to tell you something,” she whispered.“What is it?”Emma took his hands.“We’re having a baby.”For a moment Sebastian didn’t move.

Then he pulled her into a warm embrace.“We’ll get through everything together,” he said softly. “You, me… and our child.”But far beyond the castle walls, James watched from the forest.“This is only the beginning,” he whispered.

Chapter 6

Shadows Over Blackwood

The next morning snow covered the gardens of Blackwood Castle.Emma stood by the window, her hands resting on her stomach.Behind her, Sebastian entered the room.“You didn’t sleep,” she said.

“Not much.”“I keep thinking about the baby… and James,” he admitted.Emma sighed.“He won’t stop, will he?”

Sebastian shook his head.“I’ve doubled the guards.”Just then a guard arrived with a letter from the border.Sebastian read it slowly.“What is it?” Emma asked.“Three guards were attacked last night.”

Emma’s heart raced.

Were they killed?No. Sebastian looked up.“But they said the man fought like someone who had nothing left to lose.”

They both knew the answer.James was back.

Chapter 7

A Promise in the Snow

Emma stood in Sebastian’s arms as the winter wind howled outside.“I’m scared,” she whispered.

Sebastian gently brushed her hair away.“He won’t take anything from us.”“Promise me something,” Emma said.

“What?”

“Please don’t hurt him.”Sebastian looked surprised.“He attacked our guards.”“I know… but he used to be my friend.”

Sebastian sighed.

“You really are too kind.”He lifted her chin gently.“I will protect you and our child. That comes first.”Emma nodded.

“I promise I won’t kill him,” Sebastian said quietly, “unless he gives me no other choice.”Later that night, in the war council room, Sebastian studied a map with his advisors.

A silver pendant lay on the table.The symbol of Silverbrook was engraved on it.A message was carved into the back.Sebastian read it silently.

“What does it say?” one advisor asked.Sebastian’s eyes darkened.

“It’s a message for me.”“What kind of message?”Sebastian spoke coldly.

“It says…”

He paused.

“Tell Emma I’m coming for what was always mine.”Far away in the frozen forest, James sat beside a small fire.In his hand he held an old ribbon.

Emma’s ribbon.

“She belongs with me,” he muttered.He stood and looked toward the distant lights of Blackwood Castle.

A dangerous smile crossed his face.“They think those walls can protect her.”

He stepped into the darkness.“Let’s see how long that lasts.” I will get her back she is MY love 

Chapter 8

The Baby

Winter had slowly begun to fade from the lands surrounding Blackwood Castle. The snow that once covered the gardens had melted into small shining streams that ran along the stone pathways. Early flowers had begun to push through the earth again, their colors bright against the dark soil.Inside the castle, the halls were peaceful.Emma walked slowly through the castle library, her hand resting gently on her stomach. The tall windows beside her let warm sunlight pour across the polished wooden floor. Dust floated lazily through the golden light.

She had spent most of the morning reading, though she hadn’t truly been paying attention to the pages in front of her. Her mind had been somewhere else entirely.The baby was due very soon.Sebastian had become more protective with each passing week. Guards now stood at nearly every entrance of the castle, and patrols had doubled along the outer walls.James had not appeared again since the night Emma had seen him in the forest.

But none of them believed he was gone.Emma slowly walked between the shelves of books, trying to calm the nervous feeling in her chest. She had never been more excited in her life—but she had also never been more afraid.Suddenly she felt something strange.A sharp pain moved through her stomach.Emma froze.Then another pain followed, stronger than the first.She inhaled sharply and gripped the edge of a nearby table.For a moment she thought it might pass.

But then she felt warm liquid run down her legs.Her eyes widened.“My water…”The pain came again, stronger this time, and Emma gasped.“Help!” she cried out.Her voice echoed through the tall library walls.Footsteps came running down the hallway almost instantly.

The door burst open and Sebastian rushed inside.The moment he saw her, his face went pale.“Emma!”He hurried across the room and caught her just as another contraction made her knees buckle.“My water broke,” Emma whispered breathlessly.

Sebastian didn’t hesitate.Without another word, he carefully lifted her into his arms.“We’re having this baby now,” he said.Emma clutched the front of his shirt as he hurried through the castle corridors.Servants and guards jumped out of the way as the king rushed past them.“Send for the midwife!” Sebastian shouted.“Now!”

The castle erupted into motion.Doors opened.Servants ran down the halls.Someone rang the small bell that called the castle healers.

Sebastian carried Emma into their chamber and gently placed her on the large bed.Emma tried to breathe slowly, but another contraction made her cry out.Sebastian took her hand.“I’m here,” he said softly. “You’re going to be alright.”Emma squeezed his hand tightly.“You better not leave this room,” she warned weakly.Sebastian almost laughed despite the fear racing through him.“I wouldn’t dare.”Moments later the midwife arrived, followed by two castle healers and several attendants carrying warm water and clean cloths.The room quickly filled with quiet but urgent activity.

Candles were lit.Curtains were drawn closed.The midwife gently helped Emma sit up against several pillows.“It’s time,” she said calmly.Emma nodded, though sweat already covered her forehead.Sebastian stayed beside her the entire time.

Hours passed slowly.The sun set outside the windows, and night settled across the castle.Emma cried out again as another wave of pain moved through her body.Sebastian held her hand through every moment.You’re doing amazing,” he told her.Emma glared at him.“If you ever say that again,” she said between breaths, “I might throw something at you.”One of the healers tried to hide a smile.Sebastian squeezed her hand.“Fair enough.”Seven long hours passed before the midwife suddenly spoke.“I can see the baby,” she said.Emma gathered the last of her strength and pushed.The room filled with tense silence.

Then—

A cry.A small, strong cry filled the chamber.The midwife carefully lifted the newborn child and wrapped her in a soft blanket.Sebastian felt his chest tighten as he watched.“A healthy baby girl,” the midwife announced.

Emma let out a long breath of relief.The baby was placed gently into her arms.Emma stared down at the tiny face looking back at her.The child had soft dark hair and bright curious eyes.Emma felt tears fill her own.“She’s beautiful,” she whispered.Sebastian sat beside her, completely speechless.Emma looked up at him.“Do you want to hold her?”Sebastian hesitated for a moment.He had faced battles.He had commanded armies.

But this tiny child somehow made him more nervous than anything else.Carefully, he took the baby into his arms.She looked impossibly small.Sebastian stared down at her, completely amazed.“What’s her name?” the midwife asked.Emma looked at Sebastian.They had discussed names many times before.Sebastian smiled softly.“Stella,” he said.

Emma nodded.“Stella Neal Blackwood.”The room grew quiet as everyone looked at the tiny princess.The first daughter born in generations to unite the Dark Kingdom and the Flower Kingdom.

Years passed quickly.
The castle gardens that Stella once crawled through soon became the place where she ran freely, with laughter echoing through the walls.She grew into a bright and curious child.
Like her mother, Stella was kind and compassionate. She spent hours speaking with the castle servants, listening to their stories and helping in small ways whenever she could.But like her father, she had a fierce temper.
If someone treated others unfairly, Stella never stayed quiet.Once, when a young noble boy mocked a servant girl, Stella had shoved him straight into the fountain. Sebastian had tried to appear stern when he heard about it. But Emma had caught him smiling afterward.

Stella had inherited both of their spirits by the time she reached sixteen, she had grown into a confident young woman. Her dark hair flowed past her shoulders, and her eyes held the same warmth Emma had always carried. But there was also something else in them—strength.the kind that came from being raised by two powerful rulers.On a bright spring afternoon, Stella walked through the castle gardens with someone she trusted more than anyone else—Sindey of Blackwood.Sindey was the daughter of James. Though few people in the kingdom knew it, James had eventually disappeared from the conflict years ago. Rumors said he had wandered far into the northern lands.

But somehow, long after the wars had faded, his daughter had arrived at the kingdom’s borders.Emma had chosen to take her in, despite Sebastian’s hesitation.Sidney of Blackwood had grown up inside Blackwood Castle. She and Stella had been inseparable since childhood.They studied together.
Trained together.
Explored the forests surrounding the castle together.Now they sat beneath a large flowering tree, sunlight shining through the branches above them.Sindey leaned back against the trunk while Stella rested beside her.“You’re quiet today,” Sindey said.Stella looked down at her hands.
“I’ve been thinking.”That sounds dangerous.”Stella laughed slightly, then grew serious again.

“Sindey… can I tell you something?”Sindey turned toward her.
“You can tell me anything.”Stella hesitated. Her heart pounded in her chest.“I think…”
She paused.“I think I’m in love with you.”The words hung in the air between them.For a moment, Sindey said nothing.Then she smiled softly.“I was wondering how long it would take you to figure that out.”Stella blinked.
“You knew?”

Sindey laughed.“You’ve been staring at me like that for three years.”Stella felt her face turn red.“Well… when you say it like that…”Sindey gently took her hand. I like you too,” she said quietly

One Piece S2 E6, E7

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“Nami Deerest”

“Reindeer Shames”

The next two episodes of season two gives us the debut and the origin of a character that I had heard about, but knew very little about him.

Chopper is a character that I heard some people wonder how they were going to adapt him. Apparently, Chopper is a reindeer who had eaten a Devil’s Fruit and turned into a being that walked on two legs and could talk. Moreso, we discover that Chopper is able to change between forms.

Katey Segal joined the list of guest stars this season as Doctor Kureha, who they took Nami to see after she fainted last episode.

The path to Dr. Kureha was one of the most tense moments of the series as Luffy and Sanji literally climbed a mountain side to reach a castle. They were told that the castle held a witch, but it is just Dr. Kureha and Chopper.

On the way up the mountain, Sanji slipped and fell. Luffy caught him by stretching his neck and catching him with his teeth. While that was all kind of bad ass, it had a weird CGI about it. Stretching can be a tough thing because it does not look natural. Still, Luffy using his teeth to save Sanji… great.

The story of Chopper’s origin is heartbreaking and is told to Luffy, Sanji and Nami by Dr. Kureha. It was after Luffy found a pirate flag in a crate and Chopper yelled at Luffy to not touch it.

The seventh episode was almost the entire story of Chopper and it goes to show you how important of a character he is.

We are introduced to the King of Drum Island, Wapol, who is just a horrendous character. Wapol also got a Devil’s Fruit at the beginning of episode 6 and he is one who really needs his comeuppance in the finale.

It really looks like there are a bunch of storylines that are not going to be wrapped up this season. The whole bit with Smokey and the Marines are not going to catch up yet. I am not even sure that Vivi is ever going to get back to Alabasta this season. Maybe as the cliffhanger. That is fine with me.

Shrinking S3 E7

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“I Will Be Grape”

It is the birthday of Tia so Jimmy and Alice are celebrating in their own way. The whole group of characters are circling around, lending their help and support. Alice is very worried that her father will be alone and be completely lonely when she went to college.

Jimmy definitely showed how much he still missed his wife, as we see a sweet scene with them singing “A Thousand Years” and Tia messing up the lyrics to sing “I Will Be Grape.”

Alice called Louis to come to Tia’s grave so Jimmy can see how good his life has become. Alice tells Jimmy that he was the reason why Louis was able to move on, and she worried that Jimmy would never be able to move on.

New epic guest star this week. Shrinking has amazing actors in secondary and supporting roles, and Candace Bergen is here as Constance, Derek’s mother, who has had a very contemptuous relationship with Liz over the years.

I love Candace Bergen and having her on Shrinking is fabulous. What was even better was the all-too-short scene between Candace Bergen and Harrison Ford. What a wonderfully written moment and I loved every second of it.

Michael J. Fox also returned this week in a session with Paul.

Then, we get Cobie Smulders back as Sofie, who gets invited to the final sing-a-long with Jimmy and his whole family/friends at the celebration of Tia’s birthday. A little awkward, but fitting right in with the way Shrinking goes.

Then, it ends with a brutal thud as Gaby gets a phone call telling her that “We lost Maya.” I assumed that she died, as she did seem like she had made a decision at the end of last episode.

Strong episode again as this show is just so awesome. So many amazing actors with such excellent writing.

Paradise S2 E5

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“The Mailman”

Episode five is a very strong episode that kind of reminded me of the season one episode from The Last of Us where we met Bill, A Long, Long Time. It felt outside of the story that was being told around them for much of the episode.

This is the background of the story of where Teri has been and how she survived the three years outside of the bunker.

Turned out there was a mailman named Gary and a friend of his named Enos he met playing games online. The two of them were bouncing around conspiracy theories and how they would survive a zombie apocalypse, when things seemingly became real for them.

Gary discovered that there was a fallout shelter in the basement of the post office that he worked in that was hidden and was not used. No one even knew it was there.

Gary and Enos were collecting a small group of people to join them in the shelter and Teri wound up among that by happenstance.

There was also a young boy named Bean, who had an abusive homelife, that Gary would see on his mail route. Gary brought the boy with him into the shelter. It was Bean that helped bring Teri into the group as they bonded very quickly.

Gary was the man Xavier had at gunpoint at the end of the last episode. He had told Xander that he had known his wife and that she was taken.

However, this all seems like BS. The end of the episode threw a real twist as we see a scene where Gary and Enos went to see the people in the train and discovered that they were people looking to help others and were on the way to Colorado. Gary shot Enos to keep the story away from Teri (though it looked like Bean saw that happen) and Gary has been lying to Xavier this whole time.

I was feeling something was off with Gary for awhile during the episode. I thought maybe Gary was the one to destroy the radio, but Enos did admit to doing that.

There are some real questions about what Gary did and why he did it. I am sure that it will make more sense once we hear the full story, but, for now, Xavier is planning on attacking this group of people on the train to find Teri. It could be that she is not even there.

Agents of Shield S3 E18, E19, E20, E21, E22

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“The Singularity”

This episode saw the final dismantling of Hydra… offscreen. Amazing that an organization that had such a huge impact on the MCU and this series was dealt with finally as Coulson watched on screens.

We get the debut of Holden Radcliffe, who would become more of a important character in the next season dealing with LMDs. Radcliffe is quite the snake as he is willing to switch sides without blinking an eye.

Fitz and Simmons have sex at the end of the episode, finally consummating a relationship that has been “cursed” from day one, seemingly.

“Failed Experiments”

The Kree appear in this episode as Hive lured them to earth in order to get their blood. Hive’s plan to turn the human race into Inhumans means he had to recreate the original experiment where he had been turned into an Inhuman.

Mac and Daisy faced off and she beat him silly. Mac kept saying that he wasn’t going to fight her. Mac is able to survive because Daisy does not really want to kill him. Mac ruins the experiment with the Kree too.

Daisy offers her own blood to continue the experiement.

“Emancipation”

The Sovokia Accords show their rotten faces in this episode as Talbot comes to Shield headquarters looking for answers. Talbot wants the Inhumans in Shield to be registered, but Coulson said that this is not what they need, they need to keep them secret.

Lincoln has been contacted by Daisy. It’s so funny how Daisy just pushes a few keys and she is throughout the Shield HQ. Daisy wants to help Lincoln to escape and come join her and Hive. Lincoln agrees, but it is part of the plan. Daisy manually brings in a Quinjet, that she believed had Lincoln inside. Instead, it was Lash.

Lash used his power to cure Daisy of the control of Hive, but ends up getting killed by James. Daisy returned to Shield with the Quinjet and the dead body of Lash.

“Absolution”

Daisy is struggling. Like she is addicted to Hive, she is having trouble dealing with things that she had done.

The team launched an assault on Hive, and they end up capturing him. They brought him aboard the Zephyr One, but it turned out that is exactly what Hive wanted. Hive had a bomb that had a virus connected to it and he needed a way to get high enough in the atmosphere to spread it across the earth, changing humans into Inhumans.

Daisy confronted Hive at the end of the episode and begged him to take her back. I was not a fan of this, because it made Daisy look pretty weak.

“Ascension”

The Hive storyline came to a satisfying conclusion as Coulson came up with a new plan, to load the bomb onto a Quinjet and send it into space. When the explosion went off, the virus would be in space and would not cause any trouble for the earth.

Of course, there are all kinds of trouble with the execution of this. Yo Yo gets shot trying to protect Mac. Lincoln gets injured by James. Hive is still running around causing trouble.

Daisy, who had had visions of the future where a Shield agent died, wanted to sacrifice herself in the Quinjet to make sure the bomb is safe for the planet. However, Lincoln beats her to it and he and Hive are trapped in the Quinjet as it leaves earth’s atmosphere.

I was never a big fan of Lincoln, but I appreciated his sacrifice and his last few moments with Hive in the Quinjet, knowing that their deaths were imminent, was very strong.

I did feel bad for Daisy, who sure went through it this season. Her grief over Lincoln’s death was tough.

The end of the episode restarted things for the next season, with Life Model Decoys, a vigilante Quake and Coulson no longer director being major hints dropped.

EYG Favorite Comic Covers of the Week

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March 5

I had a tough choice this week that I wussed out of. I was down to four covers for the three medals and, once again, I decided to have there be a tie. Oh well…

Last week we did not have any variants in our medalists. This week, there are two of the four covers.

Also-Rans: Narco #1, Avengers #36, Batman #7, Moonstar #1, The Twilight Zone #5, Bloodland #2,

Bronze Medalist

(TIE)

Disney Villains: Gaston #1

Cover art by Milena Ciccarello

Variant Cover C

I loved this cover, helping me decide to pick this Dynamite Comics book up. I love how we get Gaston and LeFou running inside the outline of Gaston’s body. The black background makes this standout all the more.

Hello Darkness #19

Cover art by Jenny Frison

Variant Cover B

Another variant that I saw on the shelf and decided to pick it up. I have been enjoying Jenny Frison’s work on the Clean Room Vertigo series that I have been reading on the Daily Read and I think her touch really helps make these horror comic covers effective.

Silver Medalist

Sleep #8

Cover art by Zander Cannon

I have been waiting for the finale of this series for quite awhile now and I was excited to see the book come out this week. The covers of Sleep have been consistently excellent and this one is no exception. The black and white background with the blood red running down creates an exceptional contrast for the cover and really makes me want to see what the finale has in store for me.

Gold Medalist

Nectar #1

Cover art by Chris Shehan

Another new hot book has a beautiful cover featuring butterflies. How does that fit into the story? I am very curious about this book. The orange color of the butterflies and the title jump off the page, especially with that big white moon behind them.

Clean Room #12

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Written by Gail Simone

Art by Jon Davis-Hunt

Cover art by Jenny Frison

“The Damned Lay Dying”

I love this issue. We get a couple of major face offs and sets our two main protagonists on a course for each other.

Astrid video called into the board meeting, revealing that she was very much alive. The confrontation with Mr. Wenuka was like the worst Zoom call ever. Astrid sure showed that even on a mountain top, she had everything under control. I loved how she dealt with Todd, who was the assassin who attempted to kill her on the mountain. She treated him way better than I expected.

Meanwhile, inside the Clean Room, Chloe embraced her ability to control the Clean Room and to show Spark his past… something Spark did not want to see. There were some horrible scenes with Spark possessing a little girl and the tragedy around it. Chloe seemed to be in control as much as Astrid was during the video conference. Killian was shocked since she only knew of one person, Astrid, who could activate the Clean Room.

Both of the assassins, Todd and Duncan, were shown to have been hypnotized and the people around them forgave them quickly. I like that very much. It also seems as if Spark may have taken a step back from the evil that it had looked to reclaim last issue.

Astrid’s brother’s baby was discovered by Astrid’s people. They told her the baby was normal. Of course, Astrid is able to see things differently as the last shot shows the baby with the monstrous head.

Every issue has a twist that I did not see coming. I love how this series feels like a roller coaster that is just flying without me knowing where it was going.

Paradise S2 E4

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“A Holy Charge”

What a fabulously emotional and powerful episode. The first three episodes were strong, but this episode of Paradise was tremendous. It was surprising, engaging, emotional. I found myself tearing up at a specific spot in the episode.

One of my favorite things was that as Xavier and Annie were on their way to Atlanta, they came across some people in another wagon. If The Walking Dead and The Last of Us have taught us one thing, it is that the real monsters in any sort of post-apocalyptic world are other humans. Annie begged Xavier not to look at these people, just to ignore them, and not speak to them. Xavier greeted them anyhow.

Later, Annie goes into labor, and Xavier ran for help from them. I swear I have seen this scene before on one of the aforementioned dramas. However, Xavier returned with a group of these people who went right into helping with the situation. I loved the fact that this show led with the message that not everyone has become monsters. There are good people still around.

The show did a juxtaposition between two births: Annie’s baby birth, and the first birth of a baby in the Colorado bunker (it was great to see James Marsden, once again). I was so on edge the whole time expecting something to happen to one of the babies, and they both survived. I was so happy.

Then, the show threw a twist that fit right with those other shows. Annie died from the birth. I couldn’t believe it. It was such a major shock. This was where I was nearly crying. The scene where the horse would not leave her graveside was so great.

Excellent episode. Next week looks like the story will be taking off, big time.

Clean Room #10

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Written by Gail Simone

Art by Jon Davis-Hunt

Cover Art by Jenny Frison

“The Last Breath of an Exile”

So, what I wrote about last issue is a touch different now.

It appeared that Spark is not dead. The electricity that was sent through him last issue did not turn him into a pile of ashes. That is what I thought happened, but we see Spark this issue, still alive, still in the Clean Room and being tortured for information. The panel where Spark spoke for Chloe Clim Clam, begging for her to help him, made me worry that Spark is going to resent her for leaving him.

In fact, Chloe knows Spark is alive and I wonder why she left him in the first place. We see her investigating Mueller holdings, and she called Astrid all kinds of nasty names, but why did she leave in the first place?

We return to the scene several days later and Astrid has left the Clean Room and gone to a mountain retreat. Killian sent Capone to retrieve Astrid, but Astrid does not seem to be planning on coming back. Suddenly, there is some feeling for Astrid, a character who I called cold and sent straight t team bad guy last issue. I had some pity for her as she dealt with the idea that her brother shot her through the heart. I am such a manipulated mark.

We also have a new pair of horrendous individuals to fill that villain role. Wenuka and Pete are Jesus-loving corporate businessmen who are looking for a takeover of Astrid Mueller’s followers. We met them earlier, but this issue, we discover that they are darker than we imagined. They had their own “Dark Room,” which made me think it was similar to the Clean Room, and they seem to be ready to torture a poor couple. Weirdos.

I was sure of how I felt about these characters after issue #9 and then #10 flipped it over again. I love that this series is able to play with my emotions. I just hope Spark does not turn angry after his suffering, blaming Chloe.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2 E1

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“Cause and Effect”

When Monarch: Legacy of Monsters debuted on Apple TV + a few years back, the show was definitely hit and miss. Most of the misses came from the human characters in the present day.

It’s clear that those characters in the present day have not learned anything since season one.

Cate Randa showed off her selfishness and her stubbornness in the last half of this episode and wound up getting Natalia Verdugo, the Deputy Director of Monarch, killed by a new monstrous Titan that also escaped into the world when she opened a rift to retrieve Lee (Kurt Russell), who was stranded in the other world last season.

She would not listen to anyone else. She was going to do things her own way and to hell with any consequences. Well, Cate, you got an innocent woman killed. A woman who was just trying to get you and your foolish group to safety. She may be a bureaucrat, she may have different viewpoints, but she did not deserve to be swept away by some giant tentacle.

Cate really should be held accountable for Verdugo’s death. It was her fault.

The new Titan is going to be called Titan X and it sure looked as if Kong wasn’t happy Titan X was here.

Of course, Kong is supposed to be guarding the island, but he is too busy sleeping away in the middle of the afternoon.

Kong looked great in this episode. He was massive and the effects were movie-like. My memory of the first season was that everything did always look great, but the humans in the present day were just insufferable.

However, any time we spent time back in the 1950s, this show was so much better and it seemed as if that trend is going to continue. Wyatt Russell, Anders Holm and Mari Yamamoto appeared in the flashbacks and they were always smarter, more engaging and less likely to do something deftly stupid. This season looks to be the same way.

I was up and down with the first season. At least this year, the action was top notch. The question will be… can I stand the stupidity of Cate and her friends in the present? Will there be enough positives in the rest of the show to keep me from hating her?

EYG Comic Cavalcade #193

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March 1

Up to Issue #8 in the Daily Read of Clean Room by Gail Simone. It is truly epic so far. I really am enjoying that Vertigo series from 2016.

I bought the first appearance of Mockingbird in Marvel Team-Up #95. I am down to six more of the volume 1 run of Marvel Team-Up to complete my collection. That’s fun.

Comic of the Week:

Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral #1

What a massive list of Comic Book writing royalty working on this book. #1 is listed as written by Joe Kelly, Al Ewing & Charles Soule. That is three pretty solid writers for this series. Then the whole thing is drawn by Jesus Saiz. The book started off strong as Symbie (Peter’s little symbiote friend) gnawing of Johnny Storm’s head. I almost fell over. I will say that one thing could ruin it all and that would be a romantic pairing of Mary Jane and Flash Thompson. NO THANK YOU, PLEASE!

Books this week:

Is Ted Okay? #1. Written, drawn and cover art by Dave Chisholm (Silver Medalist). The runner of for Comic of the Week this week is Is Ted Ok? #1 from Mad Cave. It was a very intriguing and interesting idea that I am excited to see expand even more. What is up with Ted and why are we needing to keep an eye on him? Ted is isolated and antisocial, and Sarah, who has been assigned to watch him, starts to wish there was something she could do to help him. It’s complex and different and those are always welcomed.

Murder Drones #1. Written by Wyatt Kennedy and illustrated by Jo Mi-Gyeong. Cover art was done by Alessio Zonno. I was surprised to see this book in my pull list, because I did not think I had it on my list. I had planned on picking #1 up so I was happy I had it. I noticed that I was missing Murder Podcast #5, so I assume the wrong “Murder” book got pulled. As for moving ahead, this one will not be on my pull list. I did not enjoy Murder Drones much at all.

Murder Podcast #5. Written by Jeremy Haun and illustrated by Mike Tisserand. Cover art was done by Jeremy Haun. Unlike the Drones, Murder Podcast is a great story that has that ongoing mystery that is easily filling this story. There are so many brutal kills (some of which were hilarious) that it engages the reader. The issue ended with some military intervention that seemed important (?).

Bat-Man: Second Knight #3. Written by Dan Jurgens and art and cover art by Mike Perkins. The noir style Batman Elseworlds story comes to an exciting close as Batman and Superman learn how to work together and to stop the poisonous fear gas of the Scarecrow. The Black Label book was a lot of fun and reminded me some of Spider-Man Noir.

Universal Monsters: Phantom of the Opera #1. Written by Tyler Boss and art and cover art by Martin Simmonds. I also grabbed the die-cut cover by Andrea Milana. The next installment of Image Comics reboots of the Universal Monsters is up and it is Phantom of the Opera. The well-known saga of the man with the scarred face but beautiful voice. I have enjoyed all of these Universal Monster books and I am looking forward to more Phantom of the Opera.

Iron Man #2. “Under Pressure” Written by Joshua Williamson and art by Carmen Carnero. Cover art was done by Ryan Stegman & Frank Martin. Tony Stark is trying to figure out what Madame Masque is up to… that is, when she is not sharing his bed. Ooooh Tony. Also, who would guess that Iron Man would have to fight side by side with MODOK?

The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery#1. Written by Chris Condon and art and cover art by Jacob Phillips. This is the newest Vertigo book from DC and this is the standout one for me so far. The other two were fine, but this noir detective thriller is the one I am most interested in. I have been a fan of Chris Condon over the years with That Texas Blood, The Enfield Gang and News from the Fallout, so his name on this helps to sell the book even more.

Detective Comics #1106. “The Courage that Kills” Finale. Written by Tom Taylor and art and cover art by Mikel Janin. The virus storyline comes to a close this issue as Batman is able to find the antidote to save the day from the Lion.

Infernal Hulk #4. “Alone” Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson with art and cover art by Nic Klein. How many Hulks are too many Hulks? Well, when you are banished into the Hulkscape, that answer may not be an easy one

The Punisher #1. Written by Benjamin Percy with are by Jose Luis Soares. Cover art was done by David Marquez & GURU-eFX. Picking up right after the end of Punisher: Red Band, Frank Castle is back and out for vengeance. His rogues gallery got a return too as Jigsaw made another return from the dead. I also picked up a virgin variant cover by John Tyler Christopher..

Spider-Man & Wolverine #10. “Reunions and Partings” Written by Marc Guggenheim and penciled by Gerardo Sandoval. Cover art was done by Kaare Andrews. This brought the team-up series to a close this week. I have enjoyed this second half of the series more than I did the first arc and it is fun to see these two characters matched up.

Mortal Thor #7. “The Accelerationist” Written by Al Ewing and art by Pasqual Terry. Cover art was done by Alex Ross. The world around Sigurd Jarlson is just getting crazier. Mister Hyde is after him. People are starting to realize that he is pretty decent with a hammer. Then, that he may have a connection that they can exploit. Sigurd has some trouble coming.

Red Book #4. Written by James Tynion IV and art and cover art by Michael Avon Oeming (Gold Medalist). UFO stories out of China continue to affect the world and the way the US looks to the skies. This is the final issue of this volume of this UFO book, where Tynion IV provides us with some real world incidents and how they may be conceived. I have enjoyed these Blue/Red Book series and I will look forward to the next one in the future.

Disney Villains: Ursula #1. Written by Sherri L. Smith and art by Gabriele Bagnoli. Cover art was done by Mirka Andolfo. I grabbed this one off the shelf for the heck of it. Dynamite Comics has surprised me before with some characters that I did not think would interest me only to be enthralled by their series. Honestly, picking up Ursula #1 was just the collector in me. Let me tell you, I thought this was a great book and a fascinating story of Ursula and her missing sister. Damned if Dynamite didn’t do it again.

Maid Cafe #1. “Welcome Home, Master: Chapter One” Written by Aimee DeLong & Kazue Watanabe and adapted & illustrated by Remy “Eisu” Mikhtar. Cover art by Mark Spears. This one surprised me too, but not in the positive way. I thought this was another Mark Spears book like Monsters or Monsters and the Wolf, but it was more of a manga type, black and white book with a killer maid. Honestly, I passed on reading it so it may be more entertaining than I thought, but it did not appeal to me at first glance. There are fun trading cards inside the polybagged book.

Save Now #3. Written by Matt Kinot and art and cover art by Tomas Giorello. There is a lot of pain and anguish in this time travel series. There is a lot of loss too. Saver sticks around with Jan for awhile, watching the young girl grow into a young woman. Is his time traveling over? This is the penultimate issue of this series.

Wrestle Heist #3. Written, drawn and cover art by Kyle Starks. Our team of pro wrestlers, both active and retired, get together for Thanksgiving dinner to continue to discuss their plan on stealing from the evil promoter Buddy Hansen ( who looks a lot like Paul Heyman). Little do they know that there is a traitor in their midst. As a pro wrestling fan, there are a lot of insider things in this book that make me giddy. It is fun connecting these characters to the real life versions out there.

Absolute Wonder Woman #17. “Season of the Witch” Part 2 of 5. Written by Kelly Thompson and art and cover art by Hayden Sherman. Diana is able to free Zatanna from the control that was forcing her to take Diana’s magic and then she winds up facing a crew of her villains including Absolute Cheetah and Absolute Giganta.

Hyde Street #10. Written by Geoff Johns with art by Francis Portela. Cover art was done by Ivan Reis, Danny Miki with Brad Anderson. Sisters Hood are the newest pair arriving in Hyde Street. I do not think they are tied to the Sisterhood series we just got as they seem to be fortune tellers. Hyde Street has a lot of fun, weird horror going on.

Final Boss #4. “Stage Four: Forgotten Desert” Written by Tyler Kirkham with art by Tyler Kirkham and David Miller. Cover art was done by Tyler Kirkham (Bronze Medalist). The battles rage on as the tournament continues. The video game-like comic continues to have fun moments throughout.

Other books this week: Void Rivals #27, New History of the DC Universe: Dakota Incident #1, Nights #18, The Author Immortal #5, Be Not Afraid #5, Alice Forever After #2, Power Fantasy #16, Absolute Martian Manhunter #9, Liquidator #4, Return to Sleepy Hallow #4, Conan the Barbarian #29, and 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #3.

Quick Hits: The Ultimates universe’s story is coming to a close as we get The Ultimates #21 this week with more Luke Cage. Escape #6 dropped the last issue of the series for a while. There will be a break for this series by Rick Remender, but it is not finished. Wiccan: Witches’ Road #3 is back with more magical shenanigans in the Marvel Universe. Wiccan’s mother, Wanda is still at it in the new Sorcerer Supreme #3 book. Rogue is after the truth from her past in Rogue #2. Cable and the members of X-Force are here in Inglorious X-Force #2 as they continue to try and prevent the future murder of Kamala Khan. The second series comes to a close with the new Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #7. Lots of DC heroes/Titans action. I grabbed two covers of the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Book One (Facsimile Edition) that came out this week. The first cover is one of the most iconic covers of all time. More boobs and sexual chicanery going down in Voyeur #4 from Ignition Press. Malevolent #2 had me thinking a lot of Leeloo from Fifth Element. The art from Oni Press’s new book Spirit of the Shadows #2 reminded me of Jack Kirby. The story of the heroes out of time came to a brutal end in Justice League Unlimited #16 this week. I was not a huge fan of the start of this group, but I did like what they did with them over the last several issues. Keenspot sent me the Pecos Bill and the Guns of Oz #2 this week. It was a fun book.

Sunday Morning Sidewalk #58

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His & Hers

“Episode 2”

What a fascinating episode of His & Hers this week. It feels like this is one of those TV show that none of the characters are meant to be liked by the audience. Jack slept with the victim, Rachel, on the night of her murder, in his truck. Anna revealed info about the murder victim on TV claiming “It’s my job.” Rachel herself is being shown as a cruel individual whose husband is a piece of crap.

We met Clyde Duffie, Rachel’s husband, and it was revealed that he knew about Rachel’s extra-marital affairs. They had an apparent agreement since Clyde had heart problems. Clyde knows more than he is letting on though and he had some kind of connection to Rachel’s friend, Helen Wang. It did seem as if Rachel and Hellen were blackmailing Clyde.

Jack discovered Rachel’s phone in his truck. That was because it rang when Clyde was calling the phone to try and run out the battery- after Jack had told him to not call the phone nay more. There is something ont he phone that Clyde did not want people to see.

Of course, there turned out to be things on the phone that Jack did not want people to see as well… including some dirty pics on a text thread. Jack was having trouble unlocking the phone so he went to the morgue to use the face of Rachel to open the phone.

He deleted the text thread which won’t remove that totally from the phone. He as a detective should know that.

He also found, in a text conversation, that Helen knew of the affair Jack was having with Rachel.

Other details we learned:

  • The cameraman that Anna slept with last episode is the husband of her rival at the TV station who had taken the anchor job from her. Felt very purposeful
  • We got a flashback to when Anna told jack she was pregnant. This was back before the world made them such a-holes.
  • My favorite line of the episode was when Jack told Anna to stay out of the way or he would arrest her. Anna asked on what charge and Jack responded, “For being an asshole.” LOL.
  • Helen had been ignoring Jack’s calls all episode, but she wound up calling the Sheriff’s Department and asking to speak to the Sheriff, not Jack specifically. Is she revealing Jack’s connection?
  • Anna’s mother Alice is a sweetheart. She seems like the one person untainted by the world, even though she has been struggling with her mental health.
  • We learn that Anna’s year long disappearance had to do with a baby that she lost, probably the same one we saw her telling Jack about. I think we had inferred this already, but this confirmed it.
  • Anna gets called back to the station in Atlanta. Her rival Lexy has not shown up and they need Anna to fill in on the broadcast last minute. How much did this have to do with the cameraman/Anna?
  • Jack got his niece Meg to give him a DNA sample, which he then turned in as his own to prevent any identification from the body.

At this point, I think any of these people could be the killer. They all have motives. I wonder if we have met the killer yet? Could it turn out to be someone unexpected like Alice? She has been having trouble wandering recently. I hope it is not Alice, cause that would feel too soap opera-y.

I am fully engaged in the mystery at this point and I am looking forward to seeing next week’s Sunday Morning Sidewalk.

The Rough Life of a Jury Member

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The Rough Life of a Jury Member

The court case today involves an RC car and what it did to Mr. Kevin Fuss. The judge for today’s case is Judge Alexander. So here is what we know so far. The RC car was out of control and at some point made contact with/and injured Mr. Kevin Fuss. The owner of the RC Car Alexander (not the judge) has testified not guilty to any wrongdoing.  Mr. Kevin Fuss has testified that the RC Car was to blame and not Mr. Alexander. He also believed that because of these reasons that he should be in court against the RC car and not Mr. Alexander. The witnesses include the tree that was near the scene of the incident, Ms. Sarah Hilltop, and the RC cars front tires (who were not in control of the car).

The case lasted from 2am-2:30am and was a long, grueling day of testimonies, back and forth, and questioning. The jury was made up of locals Betsy James, Kristopher Plomet, Jim Johnson, Trisha van Jackie, and Darick Knicklem. They were all very bored by the end of the case but the outcome was that the RC Car was deemed guilty and sentenced to 20 to potentially even life stored in a box at Walmart at the back of the shelf where nobody looks so the RC Car would feel the shame of its actions. And Mr. Alexander was put on probation and forced to change his name so that the judge would not be associated with such a terrible man. And as for Mr. Kevin Fuss, his hospital bills were paid for by the RC Car (who doesn’t have any money to begin with so is now heavily in debt) and he was flabbergasted at the outcome of the case but yet he found it quite funny. So then he was further questioned for laughing but it turned out he was just a jolly guy that happened to be injured by a RC Car.

After court was dismissed, everyone left the courtroom at 2:45am and went home but because they had been up for so long in the courtroom all of the jury members fell asleep while driving home and all crashed their cars. So then the whole court case became a mess because of how long they had to be in the courtroom for and because Mr. Kevin Fuss was in charge of scheduling the court date, he had to pay for the damage to all the jury members’ cars. He claimed that it was not his fault and questioned why he had to pay for the damages. He then no longer found the court case funny, but instead was sad and homeless because he had no money and had to sell the house because he could no longer afford it. So it turns out nobody came out of the case happy and everybody had some sort of tragic event that occurred because of the case, even the poor jury members. 

This was certainly a wild court case. Anyways until the next time goodbye and macaroni.