A really deadly year

JULY

John, as an actor, had always loved playing in historical movies. So, when he received this offer to star in a re-enactment of the French Revolution, he had agreed straight away.
His part was not a huge one, but it didn't really matter, to tell the truth. Just a small role as a revolutionary who ended up being beheaded. That was the part he actually looked forward to the most: the guillotine bit.
A mock but realistic-looking guillotine had been brought on set. The most terrifying thing about it was the blade: it looked so real, so sharp. Of course it wasn't: when lowered, it retracted. And there was various safety mechanisms as well to make sure it was perfectly safe to use.

And today was the big day: three people were going to be beheaded. John would be the third one. The first one went to the machine, the blade went down, and he walked away. The second person was a rather attractive lady, who also survived the 'beheading' as planned.
Then went John, the head down on the plank. He knew something was wrong when he heard the French technician's curse: 'Oh, merde!' Then, darkness.

The Seeker of Eternity

[tanith88]

Very enjoyable as always, but I've got to say I am starting to feel a little sorry for John by now

AUGUST

The summer once again! And like every year, John was on the beach! The French Riviera! Overcrowded, overpriced, but with one very good thing: virtually shark-free.
Ok, laugh if you want, but John had a wee problem: he watched Jaws as a child, and couldn't quite take it out of his head. Stupid, really, but every time he saw water, he had the music in his head and could see the shark coming at him.
Now John was a grown-up, so he knew that sharks didnn't live everywhere. And it wasn't just paranioa: one tyear he went to Australia with his friends, and he actually saw a shark! Since then, no more Australia or that kind of countries. He had chosen Europe, and now France: after all, the Medditerranian was so polluted that it was a miracle if any kind of fish could survive. Some did, fair enough, but none of them was a shark. So France it would be.
And now John was even able to swim without thiking. Like now. Or, to be honest, without thinking too much. Theere was always, in one corner of his head, the shark. But it was France, and safe.
He actually had gone far enough at see, but he liked it. Besides, there was other swimmers around him, so no fear. my friend!
Nobody knew afterwards exactly what had happened. One second, John was there, the next, he was gone. Just a few ripples on the water. His body was never found.
But he was right: there was no shark in France. And what it was exactly, nobody could have told you. There are so many things living under water. And so many of them are hungry!

The Seeker of Eternity

SEPTEMBER

I rememeber I remeber
It was during the month of September
That happened the great disaster
It was in the town of Manchester
That lived John, for me a brother
A true man, a man of honour
One night, at a very late hour
John met a girl called Jennifer
Who actually was some kind of monster
And suddenly John was a goner!

The Seeker of Eternity

OCTOBER

'Trick or treat? Trick or treat?'
Once again, it was THE night, John's favourite: Hallowe'en. He loved it dince he was a child. First dressing up, then going from door to door looking for sweets. What was not to like?
Tonight, as every year, he had dressed up. He changed ever year, and prouded himself in never having worn the same costume. This yea, he was dressed up s a scraecrow.
John was very good at that: most of the children who had seen him so far had been scraed! He didn't care: that was the spirit of the night: to scare and be scared.
He liked to wander in the streets, observing the other people and their costumes. So far tonight he had spoken to Cinderella, Captain Jack Sparrow, and goitten the Red Riding Hood's phone number!
And now, coming towards him, was the Grim Reaper. As costumers went, it was the best John had ever seen, ever. It wa so life-like, or rather, in this case, death-like.
'_Happy Hallowe'en!'
The voice was deep and cold, the best impersonation John had ever heard.
'_And to you! May I congratulate you for your costume?
_ I guess so. I've had plenty of time toperfect it though'
Then John spotted the yes, or rather the abscence of them. And started to panic.
'_Don't you panic, friend John. There is no need.
_How do you knw my name?
_You would expect me too wouldn't you?
_And are you going to..
_Kill you? No. Eleven out of twelve is enough. See you around!'
And then he was gone.
John felt so incredibly relieved! One thing was troubling him though: Eleven out of twelve?

The Seeker of eternity

NOVEMBER

If there was one holiday John didn't like, it was the fifth of November. He didn't like it, because he was scared of fireworks. They are loud and explosive, and he just didn't like them. And it was a bit of a shame that all his friends had decided to go out on this very night, and wanted to watch the fireworks. He had said yes, but he wasn't feeling comfortable at all.
John wasn't quite sure why he din't like fireworks. He couldn't remember any trauma as a child, nor anything like that.
Anyway, he'd been out with his friends for about two hours now, and wasn't feeling that uneasy any more, curtesy oof the beer he had been drinking so far.
It had been decided to go early to the park where the fireworks would be. It was always packed, and the guys wanted a good place. Which they found, not very far from where the rockets were.
And when came the time, John was enjoying the display of noise and colours as much as his friends.
That is, until a rocket misfired.
All that was found of John after the explosion (a surprisingly big one) was ashoe.
Maybe he was right mot to like fireworks, after all.

The Seeker of Eternity

DECEMBER

It wasn't fair! John had been assured that there was nobody in the neighbourhood! Everybody was supposed to be gone, partying somewhere. And now, John was running for his life!
Fair enough, going to 'visit' houses on Christmas night wasn't a nice thing to do, but after all, who cared?
Everybody was supposed to be gone!
Everything had started nicely though: the first two houses had been empty, and he had found plenty in there. But then, when going toward the third house, John had heard a sound, like... like if horses were here. He had started to run, but quickly realised that sonebody was following him. He decided to be clever and jumped on a wall, then a roof, and was now runnig on the roofs for about five minutes. He hadn't seen anybody, but still had a strange feeling. It was snowing, and he needed to be careful;
Anyway, in about ten minutes he would be home, it was the best place to go.
Only, when this thought crossed his mind, a big bang threw him on the ground;
He was lying on a roof, he could feel his life slip away. Then he heard footsteps, and the sound of a shotgun being reloaded. And then, a voice:
'Oh, oh, oh!'

The Seeker of Eternity