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Little Red Ridinghood: The Gaian Version |
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O.k. You know the Story of Little Red Ridinghood, right? Wrong! You just think you do. Well I know the real story. That's right! The REAL story! You see, I knew the 'Big Bad Wolf". Better known to me as Big Wolf16 (or just Big Wolf). We were friends. It all happened a way while back. Me and Big Wolf worked in town at the 'Wolfen Times'. The Gaian Newspaper delivered to all wolves, werewolves, and werewolf/wolf wannabes. I was a reporter, and Big Wolf was the head editor. My story begins at 5:00 am when my alarm clock rang on a Monday morning...
"SHUT UP!" I yelled to the beeping box with no success of silencing it. I pounded the snooze button, but the pain of using so much force woke me up even more. I sighed and got ready. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, got dressed, ate breakfast and read the 'Wolfen Times'. The front page read, "Werewolf Population on Decline" written by Big Wolf16. I tossed the paper across the floor. Then suddenly a loud honk came from outside. Joy. Just what I need. It was Big Wolf outside in his luxurious car waiting for me so he could once again rub his story in my face. "I'm coming!" I yelled to the door. Unlike Big Wolf, it didn't reply.
Yes, that luxurious car of his was out there. I grabbed my bag and hopped into the passenger seat. Upon opening the car door, I saw him. He was a werewolf wearing dark clothing and smelled like a CEO ready to toss out everything he loves for bigger and better things. "Did you read the paper?" He asked cooly. Since I've had this question every day, today I decided to change tatics. "No I didn't" I said quickly.
"Well here, take a look" He tossed the paper at me. I should have known. I tried something else. "WEREWOLF POPULATION ON DELCINE?! That's tragic! I'm so sorry, I-" "Not just the title!" "Population drops a dramatic 30% in-" "NO! WHO WROTE IT?" "I could care less! This is big news! What are we going to do?" "READ MY NAME, YOU IDIOT!!!" "I must have forgotten my reading glasses." "You don't use reading glasses. Besides. You were reading fine a few secconds ago."
Big Wolf glared at me. He was through with games. I was fed up with him. I guess that makes it fair, right? "I know you wrote the article" I admitted slowly. "Why were you avoiding telling me?" He asked like he hadn't a clue. He probably didn't. I drew a collective breath. "Who wrote all the lead articles for 6 or 7 years?" I said calmly, trying not to chew his head off. "7, and me." He said angrily, but a bit proud of his ego. "You aren't jealous, are you?" Ha! This was a trap! He wanted me to admit it! "I'm just sick of it, that's all." I replied. That was true. His expression was one of anger and confusion. "You aren't proud of your BEST friend for writing the lead? The same friend you weren't proud of when he was promoted to lead editior?!", He yelled. I know how not being proud for a friend at such a great achievement isn't very polite, but I have a reason. And it's a good one. His motto was "To make things greater with the risk of losing friends and other loved ones ." Doesn't rhyme, but since "Time is money," he hadn't bothered to improve it. That's why his mother died in a cold room in the hospital not far from where we work. He couldn't care less as long as the company was getting better. They promoted him because they needed someone who would let heads roll and not even care.
I turned my back. What could I say? Yeah, I just want to know I think you're a jerk who is uncapable of love and left his to mother die alone and manages to write stories, edit the paper, not to mention run it and complain how no one is doing their jobs because you don't let them. He'd probably yell at me for using a run-on sentence. What can I do? Well, today started differently, and hopefully, it would end that way.
After picking up a couple of co-workers, we reached the grey building just in time. My article of today was titled, "New Pizzaria Opens". I looked toward Big Wolf's office. As he told me, 96+1 of his articles are hung in there. Mainly because he ran out of room at his house. His walls are covered with his articles. I once asked him what color his walls were. He never did find an answer. In fact, even the kitchen tile at his house is his work. He laminated him and put them down. What a creep.
I was just about to call the store owner when Big Wolf ran into my crampt cubicle. "Bad news." It was all he said for a few minutes. He looked devestated. Big Wolf...was crying. "I got a call telling me I have to go to a confrence on editing," I leaned in, "And I therefore will not be able to write today's lead." He sobbed for a while. Everyone was circled around him. Big Wolf? Not writing the lead article? After 7 years of writing them everyday? "So," he continued, "I will give the assignment to Paladin Wolf63" My heart skipped a beat. "M-me?" I studdered. "Yes. The article is about how mostly new members are bots. Give me...I mean one of the other editors...at least 20 paragraphs."
Silence. Nothing but silence. Suddenly the Big Wolf we all knew came back out. "Well? GET TO WORK!" I watched as he sprinted across the office to the door. I looked at the details and notes he had written for my assignment. It was enough for an article already. I sighed deeply. This is his work. At that seccond I began to think, I can do better, so I picked up the phone. "Operator? Can you get me on the line with the botter who's recently been caught?" "The one mentioned in thay wonderful article by Big Wolf?" I groaned out loud. "Yes. That's the one." "No, I'm afraid not. But you could go to the jail to see him there. I'll hook you up with the warden, if you'd like." The operator was trying to be as helpful as possible, despite my rude groan. Enlightened by her assistance, I replied, "That'd be great!"
An hour later, I stood staring at a large, cement-grey building. The sky had dramaticaly changed to dark and stormy over the building. All happiness died out. This must be the place, I thought to myself. I started to walk up the stairs, when suddenly to my surprise, I saw him. "What? Impossible! I thought-" My thoughts died off there.
His grinning face! That intimidating glare! Big Wolf? He was being escorted by cops! He must have sensed my distress. "Don't worry," he assured, "I'm only holding a source secret for personal reasons." For the safety of people we interview, they keep their identities secret. "But-" "It was a botter. They had given me alot of information, and these guys want to know who it was. I'll be fine. But, why are you here? The article had all the notes you'd ever need!" "I thought I" "Let me guess. You thought you could do better?" "Well, yeah-" "WHAT? You ungrateful...Fine write your ugly little story. I'll be back on the spot in a few hours making your story RUBBISH!" That's what you get for saying you can do better than Big Wolf. But still, I was his best friend. Why wouldn't he support me? "I'll write my story. You worry about your case and-" "You're no friend of mine!" Silence. I was shocked. Suddenly, a bout of protest long since hidden was roused by this upset. "I WONDER HOW POPULAR THE STORY WOULD BE IF THEY BANNED YOU FROM GAIA!" Big Wolf stood still. Maybe a little remorse still resided within him. He looked like he might cry again, but for something that wasn't related to work. Maybe he actualy realized what he had said to me. He started, "I-I'm sorry, I..." Bad timing. I wasn't thinking about what had possibly sunk into him. I thought about how much his reputation meant to him. I glared and said nothing. His eyes peered at me through a veil of tears. Maybe this is what he felt like? Staring through a fog. Seeing only what he wants. Not being able to see what really matters. I regret that. I always will.
*-* DISCLAIMERS *-* I am not a journalist. I do not have a job. *-*
Paladin Wolf63 · Thu Jul 12, 2007 @ 05:15am · 0 Comments |
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