Borrowed Books 						   By: Shariq Ansari

You walk through the forest on your way home one night when you hear
something.  It sounds like leaves rustling.  You sense something strange in
the air, so you speed you pace up a bit.  After all...this part of the
forest is known to have undead creatures roaming about.  You figure that you
can make it back to your cottage if you walk quickly.

Suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you see him.  He doesn't look like
an undead, but you know he's not alive.  In fact you went to his funeral.

It is the one known as Darke Sword.  You know him well.  You used to study
musical sorcery with him in school when you were both teenagers.  He seems
to be about 26 years old, the same age he was when he was killed in that
epic battle againts the Magus of Silence. You know. You fought at his side.
His handsome features remain: the tanned skin, the spiky black hair.  But
his eyes are different. They glow in an eerie purple light.

You wonder why he has appeared to you now, ten years later.  He walks
towards you and stops five feet in front of you.  He speaks, his voice
hollow and piercing.

"Books."

You blink, and your mouth drops open.  No, you think. It's not possible. He
can't still be bugging me about those books.

He steps closer.  "Books!"

You panic and run.  He gives chase.  You see your cottage just ahead but you
trip on a tree root. Pain shoots through your right leg.

You turn to look back and find him looming over you.

"Books!"

He pulls out his sword and raised it high above his head.  He swings it down
at you.

The last thought that cuts through your mind before the sword does is that
maybe you should have returned his books sooner.

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This friendly reminder from Sharky was paid for by no one.  Its free e-mail
for cryin' out loud.