100 Words

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

Every time he strode in these very hallways, he remembered when he was young.

He'd usually get lost and end up late to meetings or briefings. His boss would get angry and punish him, probably lock him up in a dark room for an hour or so. The memories made him shiver as he remembered how his childish mind failed to comprehend why he was tortured so.

Yes, every time he walked through the hallways, flashes of red seemed to appear and disappear on the walls. That was when he'd escape from the pain and had to put his bloody hands on the wall to recuperate before running again.

If he thought back to it, his mind, as childish as it had been, had fully understood what deep trouble it had been in. And until up to today, he remembered how terrifying Team Oblivion's influence and methods were.

His hands finally ventured onto a doorknob, and he opened it, gaining access to his personal bedroom, stepping inside with a dead, broken look in his eyes.

He hated every time he came here. Even the sanctuary of his own room couldn't protect him anymore. Not when it was tainted with the presence of the hallway of unwanted memories.

Seeking to Forget

[128Up!]

"I wish I could turn back," said the young man, a tear trickling down his cheek. "I want to just move forward... into the future. But alas, my cherished one lays back in the past. I cannot just leave her there."

As the moon crept up over the invisible horizon, he stared into the starlight. "I know you're out there... I need to find you, to repair the holes our separation caused." He took out a letter, written in his lost one's eloquent handwriting, and silently read it.

"You may have gone by my hands... but not from my heart."

"I've seen this thing before..."

[Zorayda]

Ash meandered along, the old wood creaking under his feet. It was dark and creepy here in this tower, and he and Pikachu could barely make anything out, even inches away from their own faces.

"Why did I come in here?" Ash whispered, shivering. "It's creepy."

"Pika..." Pikachu agreed softly, his brown eyes wide. The little mouse stuck close to the boy's feet. The pair walked slowly forward, scuffing their feet so as not to run into anything. Ash stopped short when his toe touched something heavy and solid. He put his hands out in front of him to feel something made of stone, and it seemed to be carved or shaped.

"Hm...I think it's a statue," he concluded. "Pikachu, can you...?"

The little mouse nodded and jumped onto the boy's shoulder before letting a small amount of electricity surge through its cheeks. A dim light illuminated the statue and threw huge shadows on the wall. The statue seemed to be made into the shape of some kind of bird. It had its beak pointed down at the viewer in a fierce glare, and the wings were outstretched majestically. Ash frowned after staring at it for a few moments. Something about it seemed familiar...

"I've seen this thing before," Ash said. "But I can't remember..."

"Chu?" Pikachu flicked an ear and looked confusedly at his trainer. Suddenly a loud screech made them panic, and Ash ran blindly in the opposite direction of the statue. Pikachu followed closely at his heels.

They found themselves suddenly bathed in moonlight--they had unwittingly made their way out of the Tin Tower, finally! The two of them panted and stood for a moment, their panic now gone.

"Whatever that noise was...I don't think I've ever heard it before," Ash said to his pokemon. "But I think it sounded kinda like a bird..."

Take it back

[128Up!]

"Please..." the woman spoke softly, "...I cannot bear this blemish you put on me."

Turning around, the person she had assumed was standing there was not. Embarrassment lit up her silken cheeks like lanterns beneath skies free of constellations. There was no-one around... no-one to understand the terror in her body, erupting spontaneously.

"Why did I allow him to give me this curse!? I was after innocent enjoyment... not this monstrosity of an act!" Her face shone a violent crimson shade as her blood boiled. "I must return this so-called 'favour' back to the inflictor!" she shouted, horizon ahead.

Apparent Camouflage

[Zorayda]

The girl smiled, the light of it not quite reaching her eyes. He could see the tension pulling at the corners of her mouth.

"No, really," she was saying, lying through her teeth. "I really like you, but I just don't want a relationship right now..."

"I thought you had said that you were looking for love?" He countered softly. "Wasn't that what you contacted me for?" His eyes were pleading, hopeful. He was so lonely... and this girl here in front of him was a dream come true. Blue eyes, auburn hair, and a soft, curvy body... razor sharp wit and intelligence, with a gentleness to match...

"I... I don't think I'm ready," she stammered, and quite believably, too. But he could see through her apparent camouflage. He knew that she just didn't want him.

Dramatic entrance

[Deleted]

The doors blasted opened as the boy walked in. Rowen Lasater stared in horror as her friends all whispered among themselves.
"Stephen's back," were the words that echoed around her.
Almost as if the blond haired boy had been called, he walked over to when Rowen was sitting, grinning at her.

"Hey, Row," he greeted, sitting down next to her. The girl in question just glared at him hatefully.

"Stephen," she hissed.

"Aww, don't be like that, Row-Row. You're gonna make me think you don't like me," he teased and Rowen narrowed her eyes.

"I don't like you," she stated simply and got up, walking off. Stephen followed, grinning. This was going to be fun.

"Come on, Row. Are you still mad?"
Rowen spun around and glared at her ex-best friend. Was he stupid or just plain forgetful? Personally, Rowen thought Stephen Collins was a idiot for not knowing what was wrong.

"Of course I'm still mad Stephen! You used Darkness on me! You almost KILLED me! What do you expect-" she was cut off by Stephen grabbing her wrist and pulling her into his arms.
Before she could say anything, he kissed her. Rowen gasped, and wanted to pull away. Wanted, but didn't. Kissing him back, she knotted her fingers in the blonde's hair, causing him to laugh.

Stephen always did have a way with dramatic entrances.

Embracing the Darkness