Okay. Well, there are times, usually when I'm in bed and not quite ready to sleep, when I suddenly am inspired by something to write. It may be just a page or several and may come from a movie/show I've watched, a drawing I've seen/done, or even just how I'm feeling or how someone else is feeling. Last night was one of those nights.

I would like to develop a talent for drawing characters in the anime/manga style and there are some things I know I'm starting to do that I like, but I've still a long way to go. Anyway, I was working on a picture and while the hair turned out kind of odd, I liked it and decided that I would embrace my character's unique hairstyle, as I have wished my mom would embrace mine... or at least not have my sister or sister in-law rush me into a salon to get it cut and layered.... though that only happened once. Still, I had a dream about it a month later. Translation: scarred.

Moving on, I was watching a Russian film called "Nightwatch" and enjoyed it! It wasn't anything super spectacular, but it was probably about 7.25 out of 10 stars. Also, I've been toying with the idea of a new story, but I'll leave it at that in case I do decide to start *sigh* yet [i]another[i] story in addition to the ones which will probably take me another 20 years or so to finish at this rate. So, without further ado, here is tonight's scrap! It takes place in the bedroom of a boy (who's identity has not been developed, obviously). The main character, Alis (pronounced ah-leese), is a Defender and is protecting the boy. In this scene she is facing a Deviant whose ultimate goal is also not fully developed. They are facing off and Alis has a tough decision to make.

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"My only hope is that you turn away.... If you do not, I can remain a Defender no longer and will be forced to align myself with the Warriors or the Protectors (author's note: other classes among this particular group). I am not designed to be one of them."

"So this is as much for you as for him."

She lowered her head, "No, not 'as much.' " She raised her eyes to stare at him. "I will not allow you to harm him and if I must I will alter my fate. I ask you, though, don't make me do that."

He smiled a snide little grin. "So, the boy is not involved enough to warrant a Protector... how interesting. That means, then, that if you joined the Warriors, you would be taken away from him."

She could not help but nod.

He let out a hearty laugh that pierced though Alis. "Ha! That alone would be sweet enough for now. To change your predetermined path would be a wondrous thing, indeed! Then I could always return... to change his."

The sleeping boy did not stir, but a great sea of emotions threatened to batter the heart of the Defender. Anger, frustration, depression, confusion, and fear swam through her. How could she leave him, especially when this man threatened to alter the course of his life? She couldn't let him do that! But then again...

"How can you be so certain that you could change his fate?" By calling his bluff, she at least bought time for help to arrive. Come quicker, she cried out in her heart.

The man before her raised his hand to his chin, appearing to contemplate this question. "It's really quite simple, actually, especially when you are no longer a Defender."

"Well?"

He laughed again. "You don't actually expect me to tell you, do you?" He looked at the determination in her face. "Oh, you did! How quaint!"

"Choose! or I will," she demanded.

"Sounds good to me," he replied with a malicious grin on his lips. "Enjoy the change!" He pulled out a small knife from his belt and ran towards the boy, murder in his eyes.

Instinctively Alis flashed in front of him, grabbing the wrist that held the knife. She tried with all of her might to get him to drop it, but the Deviant proved more than a match for her strength. He began to apply more of his own effort and Alis felt herself falling back, losing ground. I can't let this happen!

"If I join the Warriors, I will pursue you until you are brought to justice, I swear!" she said through gritted teeth.

"A small price to pay for satisfaction."

With great regret, Alis closed her eyes and strengthened her resolve to permit a warrior spirit to rise up within her. There would be no going back, but if it saved the life of her charge, then so be it.

With power beginning to course through her, she began to push back, moving the Deviant away. Even as she did so, she felt the environment around her start to bend and twist. It was a truly discomforting feeling, knowing that any moment her course would fracture at a particular point of her reality and become aligned with a new path, one completely foreign to her. She grit her teeth against the discomfort.

Goodbye, Andrew...

And then the tension was abruptly gone. She opened her eyes, noticing first that she no longer grappled with the Deviant, but rather just stood there, posed as if she still did. Looking down at her hands she wondered what had happened. Had her warrior spirit risen and then fended him off? Was he gone? Or what if she was, in fact, in some new reality, altered so much by her choice?

"What happened?"

"Sorry I'm late, Alis."

The Defender looked up. Before her stood Kaj, his powerful right arm locked about the Deviant's neck. The villain was conscious, but in his precarious position was unwilling to risk his life by moving a muscle.

"Are you alright?" the Protector asked.

Once she found her voice she replied softly, "Yes, thank you."

"Alis?"

She looked into his eyes. There was a measure of concern in them. "Yes?"

"Sit down."

Her body responded before her head and she flopped ungracefully onto the carpeted floor. As if waiting expectantly, a great huge sigh passed beyond her mouth. It was then that she began to cry softly.

Kaj called her name once more and once he had her attention, he stated, "The boy is alright. I have to take care of the Deviant, but I will be back in a few minutes, so just wait here."

She nodded, knowing that she wouldn't be going anywhere. As he left, she reached up to touch the charm at her throat.... It was still the insignia of the Defenders. Finally able to let go of the tension and with her confusion dispelled, she rolled over onto her side, clutching the charm, and wept openly, now partly from relief.

"I'm still a Defender," she squeaked out with a slight smile, all she could manage.

Several minutes later, a strong and gentle hand layed itself upon her shoulder. Alis knew that Kaj had returned and the tears flowed harder, a catharsis after all that had happened.

Eventually Alis managed to say in a shaky voice, "Thank you, Kaj! Thank you so much!"

Kaj looked beyond her as he replied. "I was almost too late, Alis. Another moment or two and you would have been lost to Andrew."

A shuddering breath racked her sides. "I had to choose. I would give up everything for him to live peacefully for as long as possible!"

"I know." He began to stroke her hair. "You were very brave, Alis. One day... he will know all that you have done and thank you personally."

Alis was soothed by his touch and his words. The Protectors truly did work on many levels, another thing for her to be grateful for. "Kaj," she said through another round of tears."

"Yes, Alis?"

"I've told no one this.... I'm technically not supposed to tell..."

Kaj's hand stopped, at a loss for what this Defender would say. Defenders often guarded a wide variety of secrets.

"Actually, it's more of a request."

"What is it, Alis?"

She paused for a moment before she spoke. "Kaj... when the boy becomes a Protector, will you look out for him?"

"As soon as you tell me that he has changed, I will teach him personally." By his honor, he meant it.

"Thank you," came the whispered reply.

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Some of that will probably only make sense to me, as it's a scrap from my own head, but I hope that if you read it you enjoyed it nonetheless. Also, feel free to critique and offer ideas. I don't know if I'll give this one my full attention, but right now I kind of like it.

Oh, and every time I attempt to write a "short story" (ie. when I have to), it always turns out being the middle or end of what could potentially be a much longer story. Just thought I'd throw that out there.