http://slow.writerscafe.org/Rachel_Biggs The original writings of author Rachel_Biggs en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776097914 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 “Nora.” I turned around and removed my earbuds, thinking someone had called my name. There was no one there. I went and checked the hallway. Nothing. I shrugged and put my headphones back in. “NORA!” This time it was louder, unmistakable. Someone had to have called for me... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1270543/ Chapter Nineteen: A NecessityFunds were short. We couldn’t go back to a normal life. We just had no other option. That was our reasoning for what happened next. Even now when I think about it, I bow my head and hope for forgiveness. I robbed a traveler on the roadside. I saw how Emma and Jack .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1223247/ Chapter Eighteen: Clyde A few weeks later, along came a new addition to our little family. No, not that kind of addition.I was outside hanging clothes on the line, when I heard a small whimper. I followed it to the trees lining the field. There I searched for the source. Within minutes I found it.St.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1222262/ Chapter Seventeen: A Lesson on Thankfulness There comes a rainstorm, once in every lifetime, that one is compelled to be thankful for. Ours came a few weeks after we moved back into the house. A storm let loose early one morning.Mother Nature seemed determined to destroy with a cruel hunger. It rain.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1217564/ Chapter Sixteen: Bliss “So the first grave wasn’t the first Minerva?” “She is the original, but somewhere out there in the mass of graves, there are others. Minerva’s from long before me.” I ran to the wastebasket and threw up. I couldn’t believe that I had .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1214283/ Chapter Fifteen: Ghosts A few days later we turned on the television and settled on the news. Laying there in bed with my new husband, it felt like the world couldn’t get any better. I never thought it would get worse. A photograph of Jack and Emma’s truck popped up on the screen. The r.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1214238/ Chapter Fourteen: A Guarantee“John, I don’t need a ring to tell the world that I am yours. Of course I’ll marry you. All you have to do is pick a day.” “Well, beautiful, how about today?”“John, what is today? Do you know the date?”“Well, judging .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1214128/ Chapter Thirteen: Demons I grieved for Emma. She had helped us when no one else dared. She had cared for us and held me when I was sick. As twisted as it was, I could see her haunting reasoning behind killing Minerva. I loved her for letting us go. She was beautiful, inside and out.I pressed my face.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1213730/ “Nora.” I turned around and removed my earbuds, thinking someone had called my name. There was no one there. I went and checked the hallway. Nothing. I shrugged and put my headphones back in. “NORA!” This time it was louder, unmistakable. Someone had to have called for me... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1213676/ Chapter Twelve: The Day Everything ChangedJack stormed through the house that day, stopping only to drop his jacket on the floor. He picked up a knife from the table, slipped it into his pocket and stalked into the living room where John, Emma and I were. He told John that they needed to have a chat.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1213619/ Chapter Eleven: Lifelines John had been there almost a week when Jack called a “family” meeting. The subject was finances. He said we had to let John  go, as he was straining our budget. Before, I had been content to sit silently during these meetings. This time however, I had to vo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1213191/ Chapter Ten: Conversations So, maybe I still hoped that John could live. I used all my powers of convincing to allow him to stay a few nights. I pleaded, begged, whined and prayed. Eventually Jack agreed that he could stay for a bit. The next day I led John into the garden under the pretense of show.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1212765/ Chapter Nine: House of Cards Weeks had passed without travelers. April was now in full swing and Jack was uneasy. I decided to leave the box under the cobblestones and the money I’d found on the kitchen table. Obviously our lack of money was making him nervous. Without the money from the trave.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1212255/ What do you say to someone who upon first sight captures your whole heart? Some people say love at first glance never happens. I say it does. I’ve experienced that invisible tug. When I first saw him my heart nearly stopped beating, He was that everyday handsome, with a smile that dazzled. I t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211752/ Chapter Eight: Passing I knew I was dependent on Jack and Emma for my survival. Months passed like that, and with every victim it got easier. And then, winter became spring. With spring came the thawing of the ground and blooming of the flowers. I wouldn’t even respond to Jane anymore if someo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211732/ Chapter 5 : Old Friends We lived our first year fairly comfortably, learning to use the new technology. We got steady jobs, bought a house, learned to live normally again, almost as though we were children, learning to read. We learned about a new space program and enrolled. Two years later, we got .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211549/ Chapter Four: Vows , Time and Lies        The wedding bells began to sound. It had been over four hundred and fifty years since our escape. I looked around in disbelief. The old space station was in its own way, beautiful. It looked as though roses had been rained .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211547/ Chapter Three: Sacrifices        I heard voices through the fog that was engulfing my brain.         "All right, let me up."        I heard the sound of a rope being cut.&nbsp.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211546/ Chapter Two: Malfunctions and Goodbyes     It had a bright blue face and glowing red eyes. What looked to be a grey shag carpet was draped around its body and a silver jumpsuit was peeking out from underneath it. It began speaking in a garbled tongue. The being appeared to y.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211543/ Chapter One: Stories to Tell  "Five-hundred years ago, in the year 2250, the ship Advance 1 left Earth in search of a new planet for human inhabitance."--------------------------------------------------------------- Our captain, Zeke was standing in front of the IronLock window. More .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211542/ http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211540/ I pulled into the last available parking spot in front of the counseling center where I worked. Janie, the other receptionist, waved me over. She whispered, "Did you hear what happened last night during the raids?" "No, what's going on?" "Dr. Westoller got run over by the police. He's dead."My.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211536/ It was my third life. My name this time was Sarah Embry. I’d also been Victoria Edwards and Mary Chase. I’d been English, Scottish and as of late, American. It was necessary to remain undetected. The Vollstrecker required it. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211535/ The man paced the alley, always sticking to the side in shadow. Every few moments, he flipped open a pocket watch and studied it. A frown would form, darkening his face as he snapped the watch shut. At exactly noon, the sounds of crunching glass, squealing tires and human screams filled the air. Th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211534/ http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211531/ Chapter Seven: Truth (Again) Emma had gone to the creek with Minerva. She had helplessly watched her drown. That was Emma’s truth. I thought that she had surely known the ice was too thin. It also just seemed strange that Minerva had drowned, given the depth, or lack thereof, of the water. Giv.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211325/ You do what you must,To survive.Anything necessary,No matter how strange.All to appear unchanged.Inside you are dying, your soul is dismal.The prognosis is bad, your stomach drops,An empty pit.Abysmal lies, bleaker truths,All lie ahead, as though predetermined.Why it happens, they won’t say,It.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211296/ They call me innocent,They don’t know the half.They think I am perfect,They don’t see the storm coming.I promise you,It is coming.And it will destroy,Everything,Including me.My mind is wasting,Lacking stimulation,Fragile and delicate.Ripped at the seams,Thrown apart,Reassembled with hast.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211295/ I sit outside your window every night.Even in the middle of that thunderstorm yesterday.I hope you are in your room so I can watch you.Last night was the best night of all.The storm allowed me to come closer.I saw you were reading a book of poetry.I wonder if the poems that make me think of you,Make.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211294/ Puppet becomes perfection.Always playing a part.It is hard to achieve,Harder to ignore.In the game,All are pawns.They are bishops.Control is theirs,It is the way.Salvation comes in the bottom of a glassAnd hate controls every move.Non existent love,Taunts from the sun.Unreachable places beckon,The c.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211293/ Feeding, gnawing, draining,  Until all life is gone,I can feel it begin.Until the end comes,We wait in silence,Motionless, Predator and Prey,Face each other warily,One eye open, one eye shut,Hoping to empty starlit skies,The other moves first.Where is the answer?In each head, a storm is brewing.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211291/ I see them together,And it kills me.He is bound to me,By law.He swore he’d love me,More than her.He said he’d leave her.He said for better or for,Worse.Well, she isWorse.She means nothing,It’s only a formality,He says.I see the way he looks at her.He is lying.I see the way she look.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211289/ We want you.We need you.You want us.You need us.You want another way out? Too bad.There is no other way.For you to leave,You must become us.And we must become you.No. Of course it won’t hurt.Why would you ask such a thing?We are your friends.We love you.Just hold still.It will all be over in a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211286/ Reflection in the mirror,Staring back,Hate in the eyes.Something indefinable,Fear perhaps.Becoming terror.Tremors overtake,And weep.For those before,And those yet to come.Nothing is right,Yet everything is fine.Scared to get used to it,Terrified to destroy it.Things happen,Time passes.It is still th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211284/ A deep distancebetween the two of us.It’s not your fault,Oh no,It never was.It never will be.Lay the burden on me,All the sorrow you’ve carried around.So long since we smiled,Together or alone.But we have never been unhappy,on these rocks.Unsteady, unreliable, Always.Choose the answer,Ex.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211282/ Pity the failures.That last time,Just didn’t feel,Quite right.Nothing is better,Than the first time.It’s so lovely,That haze of sensations.Tumbling and colliding,Consecutive.It just kept coming,The euphoria.As I watched everything play out,It seemed too perfect,Yet I didn’t questio.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211280/ They watch me.All day.They are everywhere.I hate them.They want to kill me.Please make them stop.I can’t stand it anymore.I am afraid for my life.I tell myself they aren’t really there,But they tell me they are.I want to end it.End them.I need a way.There must be a way out.They won&rsquo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211278/ You wanted to see it happen,And it did.Ruining two lives in the process.You got what you wanted,Destroying a friendship in your path.It could have happened on its own,Without you,Or anybody else.Now it has no chance.It would have been better left alone.They would not hate you,They could have made it.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211276/ What do you feel?Realization,Him or me.Try to decide,Separate feelings,From logic.What do you do?Pull the trigger,Close eyes,Sigh with relief.Drop the gun,Run away.What do you see?Inky black,Dotted with pinpoints of light.Like a star curtain.Orange fire,Salvation. What do you hear? The shot,His scre.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211275/ Across the room,Across the earth.Always apart.A world away.Day shifts into night,And becomes terror filled.Within the light of the stars,Evil is created.Stronger than ever before,Daytime only soothes,Never destroys.The moon stares,Blank faced.No one sees,Choosing to ignore.Inside the star,A web of h.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211274/ She moves restlessly,As if she knows I’m there.He moves cautiously,Employing a blank empty stare,Every time he is near.The guiding hand,Driving them together,Then cruelly yanking them apart.Two strangers,Utterly different,Their destinies intertwined,By me.They must know I am there.How could th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211271/ Who will give the most?Bend until you break,Fall gracefully,Pick yourself back up.It’s too late,You are ensnared.How does this happen?Your soul is the Devil’s possession.You can’t break free, even if you want.Tired, cold, shattered,You try to leave,Exhausted.Stolen moments of happi.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211270/ Love:The most explicit word in the world.Drowning, lost, lucky, forever, never,so many ways to be in love.When it comes to us, baby, we've got the easiest kind of love there is.The naturally in love, always and forever,together now love.Love's got a hold on us so just hang on for the ride. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211241/ Outside wanting inSwirling kaleidoscopes,missing any reason.Whirling,glimpses of bright lights.infested with dark shadow,polluting lifewith hate.dark carnival rides,fast, meaningless,sparking a fire, withinthe heart. twisted moments,hazy memories, none happy.for a second,searing, happy shouts of ter.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211239/ Alone in the dark,I'm screaming out your name.Left alone,I can't even hold my head up.A hand to hold mine,lips to devour.A love grown sour.A missing life,a lost love,a ghost from my past.The pain in my chest,steadily growing.I miss you.Scared to almost death,deciding to finish it.The end is nearbut .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211236/ Chapter Six: Mirror ImageTheir room was filled in one corner with a shrine, of sorts. Framed photographs stared out at me and candles flickered eerily, the effect was more than slightly unnerving. A larger photo caught my eye. My first thought was that it was a picture of a younger me, then my eyes .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1211011/ Chapter Five: Pandora’s Box I may have discovered a secret that Jack and Emma held close that day, but as I was to learn, they had many more. After many sleepless nights in that house, another traveler was brought in. This time I was introduced, not as Jane, but as “Minerva”, Jack.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1210699/ Chapter Four: Truth I distinctly remember the day I discovered the truth about Jack and Emma. I’d been there for around five months. It was a bitterly cold autumn day, just after the first hard frost. The ground was frozen solid. I was up very early, having been awakened by the sound of a shov.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1210625/ Chapter Three: Many More It seemed like every week or so Jack would find some needy traveler, stranded somewhere. Apparently he felt compelled to help others. I thought he and Emma were just kindly people who gave these lost travelers a meal and a place to stay for the night. The routine was always .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1210432/ Chapter Two: My First My room was cozy, but after living in a van for months it seemed like a huge palace. I was allowed out and around the vast farm but never was I allowed to go into town with Jack. No matter how much I asked, Jack always insisted that I stay home. I obediently stayed, helping Emm.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Rachel_Biggs/1210263/