Last part The book

courtesy of google Second and last part of the story The Book for Carry on Tuesday. Here is part one Weeks went by but I didn't find the book. Than my mother rang She was in tears. "Rose go to your brothers house and see if you can find out something. He has disappeared. He left a note but it is so strange." I was stunned. My brother had been depressed for a long time but had he gone crazy now. " I am coming" I said after a long pause. I dropped the kids of at mothers house and hugged her "Take care. I'll be back soon" She put the key of his house in my hand. "I hope nothing bad happened" I opened the door to his house and went straight to the kitchen were the note was still on the table. "I'll be gone for a while. Don't worry I'm fine and explain everything" Mmm I thought what is he up too. Than I spotted a yellow coloured piece of paper on the floor. It's from the book I exclaimed and gasped my breath. What I read was a description of a place in a forest behind a stone quarry. That could be close to here I thought and I jumped in the car to find out. When arriving at the quarry I realised that the bushes on each side were far to tight so I had to climb to the top of the quarry.When I tried to climb down on the other side suddenly I was sliding down and my leg was torn open A painshot fired through my body. I forgot about it quickly when I saw a tunnel like path through the forest. At the end there was a clearing and a small barn on the left. The whisper of voices reached my ears and I tried to find a gap in the wall. A lantern light from deeper in the barn, shone on a man and woman in the door. The man said "Before we leave I must tell my family"

"You can't the woman said you will bring us all in great danger" I wanted to call " Paul" as it was my brother but suddenly I felt a hand on my mouth and strong arms grasping me and dragging me inside. "we've got an intruder here" the man said."Leave her, it's my sister, she is one of us. she's wounded. We have to help her.

Than I passed out and woke up in a wagon. My brother jumped of from a chair. "You are doing fine Rose. I'll bring you back soon. These people are our people Rose. We were adopted. You know that don't you. Our parents died but they gave the book, the one on your attic. In the end there was a written note that we decended from these people.

When I was at your place I saw your face when you came down and I knew you read it. I belong here Rose. I want to stay with them. If you love me please let me. I am happy here. But you can't tell anybody not even our mother. These people were persecuted for a long time and found peace in this hiding place.

I couldn't talk for a minute, but when I saw the look on Pauls face I recovered and said Sure Paul. Yes I want to go back to the kids and mum soon but I would love to meet our people first

The book

Scroll down for That's my World Thank you very mucho The start of a story for sunday scribblings and for Carry on Tuesday I didn't have to much time but wanted to do something anyway

I felt edgy as if I twirled in the Whirlpool of daily life, driven by the unending daily demands. Luckily it was monday. The day that everybody would be gone and it was my day of work. Instead of doing the cleaning today I decided to spent some time on the attic. I went upstairs and sat down on the floor amids boxes with old photo's, letters and other treasures. I opened a box and looked at some pictures The rays of the morning sun peeked through the window and warmed my back. My mind was drifting away to the past when life seemed more exciting. Suddenly my attention was drawn to a book in the corner. The book was thick and black and covered with dust. It's boards were bowed and creaking. I opened it and started to read.A sense of peace came over me, when page after page made revelations of a world I understood, people who seemed familiar. I became very confused. What's going on. This story is just simply describing a group of nomad people. Why am I so attracted to it. I think I have to go out a bit more.

I felt a compulsion to tell Arian. I could tell him anything. Arian was a colleague who worked on level three at Fibe Electronics. He was special. I felt connected to him as if we were soulmates. We understood each other, even without saying anything. We were like minded people and we felt completely at ease in each others company. But telling him that I felt attracted to the people in this book. He must think I am nuts

I decided to finish the book first and than put it on his desk. Accordenly could ask what he thought of the book. I flicked the page and started at the third chapter when the door downstairs banged loudly. I realised that it was the time the children were about to come home and tucked the book away, walked out and locked the door behind me . I couldn't keep my mind of the story and as soon as I got the change, after I had tucked the children in bed that night, I went up to the attic again. In the corner I lifted some toys but the book was gone. I looked about everywhere several times but it had dissappeared.

I felt however excited and hoped to unravel the mysterie. Less did I know that this was only the first of many strange things that where about to happen. Excitement I hadn't wished for

The second change

The prompt for writers Island this week was changed. I waved it in the final piece of my short story. Although it's difficult to keep it short.

Part 1. The photographer Part 2. Prima Ballerina Anna Part 3. The second change

Elisa loved the view when they were driving down the mountain. They just went through the pass of the Northern Alps which bordered Movanie. Now a green patched land was stretching out in front of her. Soon they were driving on a long lane lined with waving tall trees. They still had to drive for an hour but time went fast because Elisa and Nicola could get along very well. The plan was to stay in the city of Lodia in a hotel and the next day they would be picked up by one of the Bovians who would bring them to their settlement. “Just wear something comfortable” said Nicola to Elisa, at night in the Hotel “You know they will feel estranged from us if we turn up all dressed up” “Since the King died they were left to themselves and became poor” “Also because they were discriminated by the Movans. The Movans spread all bad rumours about the Gypsies. “Really? Said Elisa. She suddenly felt a knot in her stomach. All the time she had thought of it as a big adventure but she hadn’t realised that it would not all be fun. “What if we try to get some of the traditional clothes, in the morning, you think that would be good? “Elisa asked. Yes, good idea” said Nicola. The next morning the ladies went out shopping and in a second hand store they found some beautiful Gypsy dresses. At the Hotel they changed themselves and danced around in it in front of the mirror. “Oh I wish I could dance like that Anna girl, Elisa sighted, “did you know that I often choreograph dance steps in my head when I hear some music. The truth is though that I am as uncoordinated as a drunk donkey. “Interesting ” laughed Nicola, “but don’t worry they will teach you”. And that was exactly what happened when they had arrived. A big party was organized. The people were all dancing on the ritme of the guitars. Elisa was trilled when she saw how elated these people were even though they lived in bad circumstances. She decided there and than to help them. She was disappointed though that nobody had known who Mark was but the next day they would meet an old Gypsy who was a fortuneteller. That kept her hopes up. “Sit down please” said the old Gypsy with the bandanna around her head” “I’ve to tell you something. An important day for us all has come. When the king was dying about a hundred years ago, he had a vision that one day a new king would stand up. He would marry a girl with dark long hair and together they would make the bovians strong again” "What happened back than is that the people expected that the man you have seen on the picture with Anna was thought to be the new King" the fortuneteller continued, " They found out that he was actually a son of the King. The King had saved his mother from some thieves who destroyed villages. He had brought her in safety and had spent the night with this beautiful girl. He had to go back to fulfill his duties though and never knew about the child. The name of the child was Mario. Just before Mario wanted to marry Anna he told her that he was going to be the new King. His mum had told him. Anna had passed on to her boss naively that she was going to marry a king. The boss informed the authorities. They were afraid and brought him over the border and he never saw her again and you know already what happened to her." Everybody was shocked that the vision had not come true and they gave up hope. Now a few months back Mark had come to the village. He seemed to be the grand grand son of Mario and looked exactly like him. Mario had married somebody else, but Mark is stil carrying the blood of the King. The minute he walked in here I knew he was going to be the new king” The vision would come true. He just had to find you and you first had to learn everything from Nicola."

"But why do I look like Anna and were is Mark. “Here I am” whispered Mark. He stood suddenly behind her. Eliza fell nearly of her chair. "Mark how did you get here?" she stuttered . “I came back here after I found you to wait here for you, just as I was asked to do" Mark said "The fortuneteller said you looked like Anna, that's how I could find you” laughed Mark,"the rest remains a mystery. Do you want to stay here with me? “asked Mark hopeful. "Yes, sighted Elisa and he took her hands. That night everybody danced till deep in the night. Elisa’s life had changed completely.

Magic

A poem and part two of a story for writers Island. The prompt was magic

Magic gypsy dance by marja blom

lifted into wonder
of a mystical night
wakened by crying violins
Moonlight illuminates untouchable feet
of a swirling beauty
who calls the one
with a bitter song so sweet

Flaming black eyes
enter the magic
fuelled by thundering clapping
Awakening the spirit of romance
of two silhouettes who understand
the language of gypsy dance

Part 1: The photographer
Part 2 : Prima Ballerina Anna

Elisa was already searching for weeks to get some answers to her questions after her encounter with Mark. She never heard of him again. Now she stood in front of the door of a villa where Drs Jotta lived. Drs Jotta seemed to be like her, a descendant of the Bovian people, a Gypsy group and they said she might know more.

Elisa nervously straightened her skirt and pushed the bell. A dark middle-aged lady dressed in jeans and an oversized colourful shirt opened the door. Her mouth fell open when she had a good look at Elisa and stared at her for some time. "I brought the photo as I told you about on the phone, Mrs Jotta" said Elisa quickly" as she handed over the photo. "Call me Nicola" she mumbled, while having a look at the photo. "The likeness is stunning" she said more to herself than to Elisa. " But eh sorry come in , I'll get you a drink"

When the two had settled down Nicola started straight away " The lady on the photo is prima ballerina, Anna" Anna was the daughter of a rich Gypsy man in Movanie. About a 100 years ago there were two groups of people in Movanie, the Movans and a nomadic gypsy group the Bovians. The Bovian people were becoming very influential under the strong leadership of their king. Because the Movans were afraid they would take over, one day they killed the king and his family and lots of Bovians flee the country to were we live now.

Many stayed behind and one of them was Anna. Anna was since a young age one of the best gypsy dancers. The manager of the ballet company in Movanie saw her dancing one day and asked her to study at her school. Anna became the best. The story goes that one day after her performance a man was at her dressing room to bring her a thousand roses . They say that every performance he sat on the balcony and Anna danced only for him. She was better than ever. They said that he was going to marry her but one day he disappeared and Anna fell into a big depression. A year later she became sick and died.

"Oh how horrible" Elisa softly said" do you know who the man was? and why do I and Mark look like them and....." I don't know" Nicola interrupted her. I think that man is the one we saw on your photo" It is very intriguing to me too. I am studying these people, eh my people you see. The only way that we might get some answers is to go to Movanie. Do you want to come with me Elisa?" "Yes of course" said Elisa excitedly.

Elisa had made some arrangements. She had taken some time off work and told everybody of her plans. Everybody was exited but some found that she was just following a ghost. After a couple of days the two left in the black Mercedes of Drs Nicola Jotta. It was all like magic to Elisa.

Part 3 next week

The Photographer

The prompt for writers Island was desire. I wrote therefore a story this time with a bit of desire in it.

Elise quickly crossed the road, heading toward her favourite coffee shop after a boring day at the office. It was quite busy, so she had to settle for a stool at a narrow counter by the window.

Staring outside, her eyes caught sight of a man with dark curly hair that brushed his shoulders. He wore a black pullover and blue jeans, a long black coat hanging loosely around him.

Wow, she thought.

A minute later she jerked back, nearly falling off her stool, her heart pounding. The same man she had seen outside was suddenly standing behind her.

“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Is this place free?” he asked, pointing to the stool beside her.

“Oh yes,” she mumbled.

“I’m Mark,” he said confidently. “I need a coffee.” He turned and raised his hand. “Waiter, one coffee, please.”

Then he looked back at her. “I’m in the city for a photo shoot. Do you know anyone who could show me some interesting old buildings?”

“I’m from here,” Elise said, a little unsure. “I could tell you something about it.”

“Marvellous,” he replied. “I’ll pay you, of course.”

Before she realised it, they were strolling through the old city. Elise felt more lively than usual, telling him everything she knew. She hadn’t felt this excited in a long time.

After an hour they arrived at the big cathedral.

“Do me a favour,” he said. “I need a photo of a man and a woman standing under the arch by the church doors.”

He stopped a passerby and handed him the camera, giving quick instructions. Then he took her hand, and she let him pull her along. He positioned her beneath the arch and moved to the opposite side, leaning casually against it.

“Now look at me as if we were lovers,” he said, his voice warm.

Elise didn’t understand what was happening to her, but suddenly she was lost in his brown eyes. She couldn’t speak. A warm, tingling feeling spread through her stomach, radiating through her body. She felt paralysed by a pulsing desire.

Then she looked down, afraid she might give herself away.

He smiled. “Thank you, dear. That will do for today.” He reached for his wallet and handed her some money.

“Oh no, I won’t accept that,” she said quickly. “It was my pleasure.”

“Then let me invite you to dinner. It’s already getting late.”

She couldn’t refuse and followed him into a romantic restaurant. He left her for a moment to speak with the man behind the bar. A minute later they stepped outside onto the patio of a Mediterranean-style place and sat by the window. Soft music drifted from inside, perfectly matching the atmosphere.

A bottle of wine arrived. As they shared a glass and ordered dinner, they slipped into conversation as if they had known each other for years. She enjoyed his mildly sarcastic sense of humour.

Then he gently took her hands in his.

“I have to leave,” he said.

The same desire returned, now mixed with a strange sense of loss.

As suddenly as he had appeared, he was gone.

In a daze, feeling as though she had just lost someone deeply important, she watched him step into a taxi outside.

Then she noticed a photograph lying on the ground near the door. She picked it up.

It showed a man and a woman standing beneath the same cathedral arch where they had just taken their picture. But this photograph was black and white, worn and creased, its corners folded with age.

It must be a hundred years old, she thought.

She looked again.

For a moment she couldn’t breathe.

It was them.

The woman’s hair was styled differently, but the resemblance was unmistakable.

How could that be?

Confused, Elise stumbled toward her car.