Hello faithful readers. Today I’ve got something a little different for you. I’ve recently acquired a shiny new blog friend, the very lovely and very talented Nancy Pearl Wannabe, and she has the absolute coolest little idea for blogging recognition ever. Remember those “choose your own adventure” books when you were a kid? The ones where you’d come to a dilemma, and turn to a specific page later on corresponding to a choice that you made to determine the outcome of your story? Welcome to “Choose your own Blogventure”, a 21st century take on the idea. I am humbled and honored to be taking part in it this time, and I’d like you all to participate.
Before you read any further, please click on over to NPW’s blog to begin the story. From there, you’ll be given a choice of links depending on how you wish the story to play out. Chose wisely! There are a great many wonderful bloggers involved, and the story can take some interesting twists.
Hope to see you back here in a bit! Have fun!
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“All right, fine.” said Annelise. “But you’ve got some explaining to do. I overheard you talking to Professor Kildare, and you’ve been missing for two days! Where have you been? What have you been doing? You’re covered in blood, and don’t tell me about zombies!”
“I’m disappointed that you heard my conversations, but not surprised,” said Annelise’s father. “I knew you’d probably be curious, and I know you and how resourceful you are. That’s why I hid those papers in there; to throw you off. Things haven’t exactly worked out how I’d planned.” He looked around with panicked urgency, as if something could be coming for him at any minute. “The important thing now is for you to trust me, and to stay where you are. I have to take care of a few things.”
“No!” said Annelise. “That’s not an explanation, and…”
“I’m sorry hun! I just… I just need you to stay here for now. I’ll make it ok, you’ll see. Just trust me, ok?
Annelise’s father turned suddenly and left the room. She could hear him on the stairs, muttering to himself. She stifled the urge to simply follow, noting that she hadn’t specifically agreed to stay. Still, she trusted him and obeyed. He’d always been impulsive and a bit of a joker, but she’d never really seen him quite so agitated. She resigned herself to her own curiosity again, and decided to examine the chest a bit more thoroughly. Hiding silly writing inside may have been his way of distracting her from something. She had to know.
She stared at the chest. It still had that pulse… that attraction. There is more to this, she thought. Whatever was in here; talisman or whatever, isn’t entirely gone. There were some intricate writings on the side. Nothing she could read, but interesting in the fact that they were somehow not a part of the chest, and yet they were. Not carved into it, but added later? Gingerly at first, she touched them. Pushed on them a little… nothing happened. That sense of foreboding was back, but it was mixed with excitement and vague understanding, tinged with fear and a certain rush. Suddenly, somehow, she got it.
There wasn’t just one compartment, she thought. It made sense. The chest was much larger than the area that held her father’s little joke. The answer is inside here, and I know how to…
Suddenly there was a huge crash from downstairs. Annelise jumped, startled. “Stay back! Stay BACK! Noooo!” shouted the voice of her father. “Annelise! I can’t… stop! They have… bring the… hurry!” His voice was strained, and she couldn’t make everything out. Quickly, she headed for the door in a panic, thoughts racing through her mind. “I’ll get the gun!” she screamed, intent on running down as fast as possible, but she paused.
The chest… There’s more, and I know… Trace the letters on the side. That’s the second key! But he’s in trouble now! There isn’t much time…
If you think Annelise should get the gun and go downstairs, click here.
If you think Annelise should trace the letters on the chest, click here.
