Short Story, writing

JANUARY 20, 2020

Sticky

What the hell am I doing?

These are the words that floated through his mind as he sat there trying to figure what was going to happen next. For all his life he was incapable of keeping to one direction. Sure there were times he came close but in the end it always ended at some point. Yes all things come to an end but for him, they were never endings of his choosing.

He wanted to be more than what he was and what he was consisted of surviving. He needed more, he needed to have direction, and he needed an end goal.

What goal am I striving for?

The answer to that question he knew. He wanted to create and help people achieve their goals.

How am I going to achieve it?

He was well into his 30’s, knew what he wanted to be when he grew up, but still was unable to understand how to achieve what he wanted. Did he want a steady job where someone told him what to do everyday or did he want to be the boss? After having been through a lot of schooling, he had applied to many jobs. Nothing came of it. He had a 9-5 that allowed him to be self sufficient, though he needed more.

He wanted to be doing what he worked so very hard for. Of the four times he went through college, he paid for three. So he knew he was willing to work for it. But the difference between school and finding his vocation is school had a finishing line, the diploma. In the real world, unless you had family or a really good friend to hire you, there was no foreseeable finish line. He was almost there. He could taste the freedom and feeling of accomplishment he almost has. However in this day and age, its feels like it’s not what you know, its who you know.

So once again he is back at the original question.

What the hell am I doing?

He realized he was thinking in circles and that thinking wasn’t really going to get him anywhere. Sometimes thinking only gets you halfway. So when you get to the halfway mark and it just leads you to back to the beginning, try adding something to it. So he started doing. It didn’t matter what he was doing, he just needed to do something.

On the first day, he did it a little bit. It was a start. But then he got distracted and he couldn’t get back to it. He tried three times, but it just didn’t stick. On the second day, he continued his activity. He got more done. He started to feel a bit better about himself. Sure he was still a long, long, long way off from his goal, but he was actually doing something. On the third day, he watched TV. Old habits die HARD.

But then he went to make dinner and as he was waiting for the oven to come up to temperature, he found himself sitting down and finishing what he had begun. That’s when it hit him. He knew it all along but sometimes it takes a while for it to sink in. What he was doing was the start. Accomplishments will come later, but you don’t accomplish anything unless you start somewhere.

Sure, he is going to get lost a lot. You could say, he had been lost most of his life. But at this moment, simply by starting somewhere and finishing what he had begun, he started to figure out what the hell he was doing.

And just like that, he had finished. He turned off the oven, put on his shoes and coat, picked up his project and went out. When he came back he didn’t have it anymore. He had given it away.

He was happy.

He made dinner, got cleaned up, and went to bed.

Tomorrow, he decided he was going to do it again. But different. Just like that, he didn’t feel so lost anymore.

JHM Project, Original Fiction, Short Story, writing

Short Story – Urban Fantasy

Gallery

This Is an original story set in a world I created back in high school. This is the world I hope to turn into a novel, comic book, or something at some point. I hope you guys enjoy it.

A Jonas Story. By James McGill

It was about 6:30pm in April and spring had just begun. This was the first day Jonas was able to get out and enjoy the weather without a heavy jacket and he had decided to go take a walk around the park near his apartment. As he walked down the street he took in the scene around him. People were enjoying the weather the same as him. Kids were playing as were some adults. As he looked towards the street, the traffic appeared to have lessened as the days got warmer. People choosing to walk or use public transportation in order to enjoy the weather more. He caught glimpses of Fire elementals coming home to street lamps for the night. The city of Chicago had always been a city of crossroads and it was always most apparent at dusk. He smiled as a pair of elementals zoomed around his head as he accidentally walked into their flight path. They stopped and squeaked at him.

“Watch where you’re walking! We’re flying here”
“Carl, this is Chicago, Not New York.”
“Ah Shove it up your ass.”
“Better. I hope you and Lori have a good evening.” Jonas said with a smile.

Carl was an acquaintance of Jonas’. They were on good terms in the way that Carl would insult him instead of giving him a hot foot like he did everyone else who got in his way. Jonas did this by the simplest of means, he spoke to Carl like everyone else. He didn’t speak down to him or in any way that would convey that Carl was dumb. People tended to take elementals for granted. Many people didn’t pay them any mind because they didn’t care enough. The only reason why this didn’t cause any issues is because the elementals thought the same about humans. Humans stayed in their lane and elementals did the same. Jonas was looking forward to the day where that wouldn’t work anymore.

Jonas walked on and headed towards Buckingham Fountain. If he was lucky, the local chapter of the Great Lakes Mermaids would be having their first meeting today. Whenever it warms up past 60, for the first time in the spring, they always have a meeting at Buckingham Fountain. Of course they could have changed it last year. They don’t want their meetings to become predictable. Over a decade they tried it on the same day every year. By the end of the decade, thousands of people would be crowding the park to get a look at them. There were two problems with that. First, they were unable to get any business done. The meeting was so that the leaders, who usually are the hottest of their species, could share information and decided on what they needed to do in order to keep the great lakes in good shape. Second, humans are very susceptible to the magic of merfolk. Due to the effect merfolk have on humans, a huge orgy took place. This was because the merfolk placed a barrier around the fountain to keep humans at a safe distance. The Barrier unfortunately did not keep their magic from escaping. There was a glitch in the spell. People were drawn to them and were unable to reach them. Since they could not run their ships off onto the rocks, their rocks were gotten off. The merfolk did not realize until the end of the meeting.

Nothing like that would happen this year. A subtle misinformation campaign was conducted that was so successful that it is pretty much impossible to think about merfolk without getting a headache. That is unless you were someone like Jonas.

Jonas found a park bench facing the fountain and he took a seat. He leaned his head back and enjoyed the spring breeze coming off the lake.

“They aren’t here today.”

Jonas turned his head and found a Patrol Officer talking to him.

“I’m sorry, who aren’t here today Officer Carlisle?”

“The Merfolk Committee of the Great Lakes. Whenever they have their spring meeting they give the Mayor and Police Chief a heads up. No heads up was given today. Sorry Jonas.” She replied.

“Oh it’s not a problem. I didn’t come out here for them Carlisle, I came out for the weather. Have a seat and take a load off.”

Patrolman Carlisle sat down at the opposite end of the bench and took off her cap letting her Blonde hair fall down to her shoulders.

“Damn it, my bun came undone again. Long hair can be such a pain in the ass sometimes.” She took a hair pin that had fallen onto the bench and started putting her hair back up in a braid.

“It can also be something a perpetrator can grab a hold of in a fight. Maybe you should have it cut?” Jonas replied.

“Well that use to be true, but thanks to department regulations, no one can remove a Patrol Officer’s cap except the Patrol Officer. Thanks to that regulation, my cap keeps my hair safe from that happening.” She finished putting the hair into a braid and commenced putting it into a bun. The bun stayed put and Officer Carlisle started fanning herself with her cap. Jonas felt a prickling at the back of his neck and he turned to see a bright shock of red hair hiding behind a tree that did not hide anything. “Afternoon Friday.” Jonas yelled. The Woman with the red hair waved back meekly. “I see Friday is still following you around.”

“Yeah, being haunted sucks sometimes. She’s nice enough but being one of the few people who can see ghosts sucks. She is very lonely and everyone needs recognition in some way. So I’ll help how I can. She leaves me alone on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Oh speaking of Friday, did you find out anything more on the information I asked for?”

“Nope. Just what I gave you. No one from any of the underworlds have any death memories for sale. I gather you’ve had no luck finding out who killed her and took her’s?” Jonas asked

“None. I guess it was a god or underling from some pantheon, they’re the only ones who could take it at the moment of death. But I have no idea why they would want a death memory. They’re only used for crossing over and gods have no need for it. I feel for her but I wish she would go socialize with other ghosts. You’d think as an actress she would have no problem socializing.”

“You know how it is. When people die their spirit is who they are deep down. Its very possible she was a shy person in life but figured out how to hide it and had the strength, in life, to go out and be sociable.” Jonas replied.

“Well, I have to get back to work. You should have the payment by tomorrow. If you don’t, then go see Jerry. I gave it to him to give to you. I hope you have a good night Jonas.” Officer Carlisle said and she got up and put her cap back on over her bun.

“Have a good night Carlisle…Wait!” Officer Carlisle quickly turned around. “What is it?” She asked.

“When did you put purple highlights in your hair?”

Officer Carlisle face went white and her eyes went big. She quickly took her cap off her head and undid her bun to look at her hair.

“OH my mistake, it was just a trick of the light.” Jonas said with a grin. “Only the patrolman can take the cap off. Good to know.”

“Fuck off, Jonas.” She said as she walked away redoing her hair for a second time.

Jonas got up off the bench and started walking towards Lake Shore Drive.

An hour and a half later, Jonas found himself on State street in front of Macy’s underneath the big green clock. Just as he is about to hail a cab he hears a scream. He looks around but no one else on the busy street appears to react to it. Upon hearing it again, he quickly listened and proceeded in the direction it had come from.

Five minutes later he turned a corner to find a large Minotaur demon looking around with a woman draped over his shoulder. She appeared to be pleading with him saying that he was too early and she still had 12 hours. The demon rocked his head back and knocked the woman out with one of his horns. “Finally, now I can think and remember where the subway entrance is.” said the demon.

“Percival, as I live and Breathe!” Jonas yelled.

The demon spun around to face Jonas. His eyes went round and a steam huffed out his nostrils. “SHIT! Where the hell did you come from Jonas?”

Jonas then snapped his fingers and an aura formed around Percival the Minotaur Demon, immobilizing him.

“Percival, you are late on your contract with me. I paid you in advance. We had a deal. But I still have not received the Ichor I need from the fourth level of Lucifer’s hell. Why is that?”

“Let me go Jonas or you will regret it.” Percival said.

Jonas got right up in front of the demon and smiled. “Really, I’ll regret it huh? Let’s find out.” Jonas raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The silhouette shattered and formed a cloud over Jonas’ head. “Okay Percy, you get one shot. After that, If I’m still standing, you’re going to be so much worse off then the late fee you owe me.”

The rage Percival was feeling cracked for just a second where his brain laid out the possibility of what might happen if he didn’t manage to take down Jonas. Three seconds later, the rage shattered behind his eyes and was replaced with trepidation and a little bit of fear. His eyes darted from left to right and he noticed a sign saying ‘Subway Entrance –>’. He took a quick glance at Jonas and took off running. One minute later he arrived at the Subway entrance that was currently glowing red. “I made it. Now I just need to get this lady down there and…” It was at this moment, Percival realized that his hostage was no longer on his shoulder.

“Did you forget something good sir?” A voice came from behind him.

Percival turned around and saw Jonas standing there carrying the unconscious woman in his arms.

“Now Percy,” Jonas began.

“DON’T CALL ME THAT!”

“PERCY, you owe me one liter of Ichor from the fourth level of Lucifer’s hell where I am unable to visit at the moment. You signed a contract, you took payment, you have been ghosting me for three weeks, and now I find you abducting people down to hell. So what are we going to do about this?” Jonas put the woman down on the ground leaning up against a brick wall. He got up and faced Percival again. Percival looked at Jonas and then at the woman. Then he smiled.

“Jonas, this is all a big misunderstanding I promise you. I don’t have it because the past three weeks if I had taken anything out of there, my boss would get suspicious.”

“Suspicious? Why? The reason I made this deal with you is because you are supposed to have the rights to take anything from the Fourth Circle and Ichor is nothing special in the fourth circle. So what aren’t you telling me?” Jonas asked with annoyance coming through loud and clear.

Percival sighed and motioned toward the woman. “I got a little behind on a quota my boss just instituted. That is what she is for. I’m not allowed to go home until I fulfill this damn quota. That is why I took her. I take her and I get back into the fourth circle. I get back in the fourth circle, you get your Ichor.”

“You’re 12 hours early aren’t you?” Jonas asked.

“Yes he is.” the woman said waking up. “I was supposed to have until 8 am tomorrow morning.”.

“Is that true Percy?” Jonas asked.

“Yes. I need to fill the quota before midnight.” Percy Responded.

Jonas looked at the woman then back at Percival.

“So you would say this woman is valuable to you?” Jonas asked.

“No! NO! NO! Don’t, please?”

“Wow, a demon saying please, you don’t hear that everyday, do you miss?”

Percy was looking scared and Jonas could read him loud and clear. “From what I am reading off of you Percy, she is. So, I am initiating Section B, Subsection 12. She is mine until you can provide what I paid you for plus interest. Once you have provided that, then her soul is all yours. Got it?”

Then out of frustration, Percival hits Jonas in the face. Percival goes flying back across the street in a cloud of dust. Percival attempts to grab the woman but she won’t move, and he can’t pick her up. The Silhouette that had held Percival was now holding the woman in place. All of sudden Jonas appears from above and dropped down on to Percival’s head. His head crashed through six inches of sidewalk, leaving Percival dazed. Jonas grabs him by the collar and with very little effort drags him over to the subway entrance. “Next time don’t break the contract. If you want the soul back, get me what I need and maybe you can have it.” Jonas then pushes Percival down the stairs where after a large thud, the subway entrance stops glowing.

Jonas waves his hand in a pattern and the silhouette around the woman breaks. She moves to thank him but before she can, he holds a stone up and an electrical field folds out and encompasses the woman. She looks scared suddenly and asks why. “Business. Besides you made a deal with Percival. No one, who deals with him, is a good person. It finds its safer and less of a chance anyone would want to save them.” Then a large amount of energy is pulled from the Woman’s body and flows into the gem. The body collapses and the gem glows. He sticks the gem into a side pocket and then walks down the street and hails a cab.

JHM Project, Writing Journal

MY Struggle with Habits

Well it is once again a new month. Last month was fun in that I ended up straining my shoulder. I was surprised to discover how much a person uses their shoulder when typing on a computer. That is my excuse for why it’s been four weeks or so since my last post and I’m sticking to it.

Since I was a kid, I have had this problem. Yes, it is procrastination. Part of it is my Attention Deficit Disorder and the other part is just bad habits. While I am lucky in that I do not have some very bad habits such as Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, I do have a procrastination habit that is my biggest weakness. Also sugary soft drinks that is not at all good for my liver. Please note, it is possible to drink 40 oz of soda every day and loose weight. For the last two years I have been slowly changing my diet in subtle ways that has gotten me to loose 20 pounds. I am down from 235 to 215.

Anyway, back on topic. There is a very good book out there that I highly recommend reading if you have a habit you wish to quit. It is called “The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg“. I highly recommend reading it. I only got through 4 chapters but it isn’t because I didn’t like it. I got distracted and didn’t go back to it. But It laid out its argument quite well and I understood it very quickly. Habits are created when you do something repetitively and you see this activity as a reward. That’s how you get addicted to many things in this life. Smoking, Sex, television, collecting weird figurines from germany from a company that went out of business 30 years ago. Anything can become a habit if you see it as a reward. When you do this, your brain releases chemicals such as Dopamine.

That is part of my problem. This is the reason I am still drinking soda when I DESPERATELY need to stop. Excuse me while I go pour one out for my liver who is been a real trooper in my life. I’m sure there is more but I need to finish reading the book first. I think I know what I am doing tonight if I don’t get distracted by the pretty lights of the TV. Anyway, my brain sees soda as a reward and keeps needing it. The only way that I see as a way to stop is to change things. So I am going to try and make soda a reward for actually finishing a post on this site. Then when I am no longer drinking soda first thing in the morning, I will change the reward.

Now you see what I just did here. I got distracted. Instead of talking about my procrastination and inability to change my habits, I spent an entire paragraph about my soda addiction. Back to the point of this post, though the soda side trip does help illustrate a point. In order for me to want to keep doing something I need to change my way of thinking about it. Working on this project for instance. Sitting down and coming up with something to write can sometimes be a pain. Writer’s block is real and so is ADD. So at the moment, I am sticking with stream of consciousness writing. It makes it easier for me to write about a subject without analyzing every single part of it. That way I actually post to the project.

My plan over the next month of February, is to write three to five posts every week. As I said before, if I reinforce new habits with rewards, it is much more likely that I will be able to form new and healthy habits. The question is, will I be able to make three to five posts every week? That is the goal, but it is not always easy. If I don’t get three posts out this week and only get two, I’m not going to beat myself up over it. Forming new habits is a journey and sometimes in that journey you’ll only go five feet and other times you’ll go twenty miles. The five feet is just as important as the twenty miles.

Wish me luck.

Type ya later,
James McGill

JHM Project, Writing Journal

January 2, 2020

It is a new year and I am still the same person.  New Year, New Me is BS.  Just because a new year starts doesn’t mean you are a new person.  So with that in mind, here is where I am at the moment.  I have been on vacation for the last week and in that time I have started two blog posts.  I have not finished them.  I probably will shortly but as of now, here is what I have come up with in the last week.

First, I am not just going to post my stories on here.  I am going to use a writing website so I can, hopefully, get some feedback from people.  I seem to want to be cautious with what I put out and as I do not have the money to hire someone to critique my work, so I will use a community instead.  If you wish to read my stories before they are posted here, go to https://www.wattpad.com/user/JHMProject.

Second, I am someone who doesn’t just dive in and starts throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.  I have a need to understand how things work.  As I have never published anything and have only ever written for myself, I will not be updating this site very quickly.  I have ideas but I am alone.  I do not have any friends who are into being photographed, only acquaintances. I do not believe many of them will be very quick to volunteer to be photographed just yet.

Third, the first stories I will be posting will be an introduction to my world through the eyes of Four Characters: Brenda Carlisle, Jonas, Friday Malone, and Tempest.  As this will be my first story to be printed, I am going to try and create a cover for it as I write.  Watt Pad allows you to upload an original cover to go with your story.  I am going to create the cover along with this short anthology of five short stories.  So the next blog post should be about that.  Shouldn’t be any harder than creating an image for each blog post…crap.  Never mind.

So if anyone has any ideas, please feel free to @ me on Twitter. I’m @JHMProject. Otherwise, I have fulfilled my writing for the day, but I think I’m going to actually get started on this five story anthology in the next thirty minutes.  I have some thinking to do.

 

Type ya later,

James McGill

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