Prologue 01
May 30th, 2006
Wondering if she was seeing things, she blinked her eyes hard, but when she opened them again the ruined building was still there.
And it wasn't alone. Through the shifting waves of heat, the broken walls and cracked masonry of the central building loomed over smaller ruins. Where had they come from? There wasn't even supposed to be a clearing here just uninterrupted forest.
Brandee took a hesitant step, straining her ears for any sound that might alert her to other people in the clearing. But all she heard was the rustle of leaves in the breeze and the sporadic warble of birdsong—normal sounds of the forest.
The heat waves were strange though. They didn't move further away from her as she approached as they usually did. The more she thought of it, they really didn't look like heat waves at all. Curious, she reached out her hand but felt nothing as it came in contact with shimmering light. Drawing back her hand, she cocked her head. Another slow step forward, her sneakers crunching softly on the grass and leaf litter, brought her almost flush with the light. Soon, curiosity overrode her caution, and taking a deep breath she walked into the distortion.
Almost immediately the waves disappeared. She glanced over her shoulder. No, they were still there. But they hadn't moved. It was almost like they were a barrier or something.
Getting bored with what she did't understand, she shrugged and moved further into the clearing. The odd buildings seemed more interesting anyway.
What is this place? she thought as she picked her way through the ruins. It looks like an old castle.
But a castle, even if it was just the ruins of one, wouldn't appear out of thin air. Or perhaps it would… Maybe it was like that movie—"Briga-something"—where the village appeared for a single day every one hundred years. Yes! Maybe the ruins had a magic spell on them and they would only be visible today before they were once again swallowed by the forest. She was lucky she'd decided to run away today or she would have missed seeing them.
33 Responses to “Prologue 01”
May 31st, 2006 at 1:45 am
Agg…no! Don't leave it there!
There's only one word for that: AWESOME! You're a natural stroy-teller, the pictures are excellent!
May 31st, 2006 at 5:43 am
Oh yes…that's your house from Kincaid Street, isn't it, with some tweaking? Just wondering. Anyway, the study and bedrooms are lifelike and really well-designed. I love your Kincaid Street house!
May 31st, 2006 at 5:48 am
Not a cliffhanger! D: The story was getting so interesting! I really like the pictures, very realistic and it seems a lot like watching a movie. Great work! 😀
May 31st, 2006 at 7:34 am
Thank you! I was a bit nervous at first, but it's a relief just to finally get it posted.
Amalinball:Yep, that's the Kincaid Street house. 🙂 I didn't change the layout of it but I did redecorate it to reflect the Taylor household (Brandee and Allan). I'm glad I finally got the chance to use it in a story!
Jasmine: You said:
That's what I was attempting to do. I'm glad it worked! Phew!
May 31st, 2006 at 2:48 pm
woot! great start, Kara! i can't wait for more 🙂
May 31st, 2006 at 3:25 pm
*gasp* What an incredible first chapter! I'm hooked too now, and can't wait to find out what happens!
June 1st, 2006 at 5:46 am
Kathy and Christin: Thank you so much, girls! 😀
June 3rd, 2006 at 1:25 am
I have been anxiously waiting for your story to begin and I am not in the least disappointed. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for the next chapter.
June 3rd, 2006 at 12:54 pm
OMG, how could I have missed this when you posted it???
*dies of embarrassment*
~~~
Hon, you had me reaching for my hankie from the first paragraph, not to mention the fact that I love where you decided to end it (I'm a big fan of cliffhangers). As for the pictures? They are perfection. This was so much worth the wait. 😀
June 4th, 2006 at 6:39 am
Nvrrdy: Aw! Thank you so much! I'm so glad I didn't disappoint you. 😀
Eph: Well, you're my inspiration when it comes to pictures. So, thank you as well!
And, yes, aren't cliffhangers the best? They are both maddening (at least for the reader) and fun (at least for me…mwahahaha!).
Oh, and if you were crying in this chapter, you better bring a box of tissues to the next chapter…I'm just sayin'. 😉
June 4th, 2006 at 8:14 am
Awwww… *blushes*
~~~
I'm well-stocked with tissues in anticipation of your next set of updates! 😀
June 5th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
….dont die….dont die………
June 6th, 2006 at 8:15 am
I don't think Brandee dies, Ashley. She was in a teaser a while ago, older but still realistic. But let's hope she's not too mentally scarred from this experience!
June 6th, 2006 at 8:56 am
WOOOWW. I didnt get to look at all of the wonderful pictures because my computer decided to go slooooww. But the story is amazing. Im so late reading it…that saddens me. But its still fabulous. And how did you do that with Brandee in teh window and wow. I wonder if her dad will even notice…
June 7th, 2006 at 9:22 am
Wow. Not only is it beautiful to look at, it's a great story.
I'm officially sucked in. I can't wait for the next installation.
June 7th, 2006 at 9:44 am
Ashley & Amalinaball: My lips are sealed. I don't want to spoil anything. 😉
Eva: Eep! Sometimes I forget that not everyone has broadband or DSL. All these pictures must be a pain on dialup. I hope you eventually got to look at them all.
As to Brandee and the window…which picture exactly did you mean? The one where she is sitting looking over the ruins? Or the one where she's eating chips?
Anissa: Thank you! Today I'm officially starting the picture-taking phase of the next chapter. This one is going to be a bit longer and more complex than this first chapter. But I'm looking forward to the challenge!
June 8th, 2006 at 7:41 am
Yea, i eventually went back and looked at all of the pictures. I was in such a rush the first time to actually know what was going on that I just wanted to read. Teh picture I mentioned was the one where Brandee was sitting in the window. Its so cool.
i can't wait 'til the next update, no mattre how long from now. I have a feeling that the dude in the door is an elf and somehow he makes Brandee one. Dunno. I just can't wait.
June 8th, 2006 at 8:34 am
Eva: Yay! I'm glad you finally got to see all the pictures.
As to how I got Brandee to sit on the wall: I had her sit on a chair and then, after pausing the game and using the "moveobjects on" cheat, I placed her on the wall so it would look like she was sitting on it.
It's actually the castle wall top by Windkeeper that she's sitting on. It's perfect because it's exactly the same height as a chair.
And I love to read peoples' speculations as to what is going to happen in the story. It's very interesting to me. So, thank you for telling me what you think is going to happen next. 🙂
June 8th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Really? My computer wont download that stuff…
June 8th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Hey Kara and Kim! I'm Alyssa's friend. I would like to talk to you more like alyssa is and stuff like that. Really I would! Your story about brandee is really cool! i like it alot…i cant wait until the next part is finished so i can read it! write me back! thanks!
June 11th, 2006 at 10:58 am
You have a wonderful talent for writing stories!! Don't stop there, we want to hear more!
June 12th, 2006 at 7:55 am
Naomi: *blushes* Thank you so much! Don't worry, you'll hear more. Now that my story is rolling, you'll not be able to shut me up! I'm afraid you'll have to be patient with me though—I'm a slow worker.
July 9th, 2006 at 5:36 am
Found your site through Jade's isle of Thyme.
Wonderful start to a story. The pictures are top notch. I can just imagine the time you spent on them 🙂
I shall be back to check on your story. Thanks for entertaining us with this gem!
regards
e2b
http://earl2blue.livejournal.com/
July 9th, 2006 at 8:32 am
e2b: Welcome to the site! Thank you so much for dropping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. I'm also very glad that you are enjoying the story so far. 😀
November 11th, 2006 at 9:40 am
I enjoyed your story so much. You write so well and your lovely pictures just added to the already great story.
November 25th, 2006 at 11:39 am
Hi. I'm new to this website. I've really enjoyed the story so far! When will there be more?
November 29th, 2006 at 11:24 am
Abbie: Welcome to the site and thank you! I'm currently working on the next chapter but it's coming along slowly–the holidays and other projects cut into the amount of time I get to spend on it. So, I'll have to beg for you patience. It'll be worth it, I promise! 🙂
February 5th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
You really have a knack for suspenseful endings. I'm really intrigued about who it is that has stumbled on her.
Brandee is so charming. I'm always in awe of those who can write so well from the perspective of a younger generation, that perfect balance of innocence, naviety and seeing the world in a slightly different shade than adults.
Wonderful stuff!
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 am
Found your link from 100 Days of Sorrow…
Really wonderful, gorgeous, lush shots, and fascinating writing. I love it! Reminds me a little bit of Ursula leGuin's "The Beginning Place"…that slide between worlds.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Wow … There are no other words for it. Your picture taking skills are just mindblowing – it seems a world other than the poxy Sims 2. Anghard placed it perfectly in respect to how you've written Brandee's part – so lifelike and intriguing, not the least bit annoying (how my sim kids are). So, well done. I'll be reading this story in its enterity, for sure.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am
:up: Cool begining, and awesome ruins..
December 30th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
this is awesome ! more please 😀 x
September 15th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Wow, how..innovative!! I've never even considered writing in a child's point of view…great work, onward to the next chapter!