R.E.M.: The Hidden World Read Free

certainly say so…”  After Kyle spoke the words, the boy began slowly scanning his clipboard.  Kyle’s annoyance was growing rapidly.  Similar to Emily, Kyle was far from being the most patient of individuals.  When either of them wanted something done, they wanted it done immediately.  Without wasting another precious second, Kyle carefully, but sternly, pushed the boy to the side and opened the door, waving his hand for Emily to enter first.
                  “But uh…you can’t….”  The boy’s attempt to argue was blatantly useless.
    “You can check with the hostess for any questions.”  With that, Kyle entered the room and shut the door in the boy’s face.
    “Well done, bravo….now we know you can take on a child….”  Emily laughed; her enjoyment of mocking him was heightened by the influence of the alcohol.  Kyle simply rolled his eyes in response. 
    Whistling loudly, he gathered the attention of everyone in the room.  It was a much smaller grouping and consisted of approximately ten people.  All of whom Emily now realized were her friends. 
    Aw….Carrie must have allowed only them specifically; so I could have some quiet time with my buddies… Emily smiled to herself at her friend’s sweet gesture.  She definitely owed Carrie for this, big time.
    “So who’s ready for some shot pong?”  Kyle declared the words to the room, clearly eager to get the game started.  Looking Emily’s direction, he now addressed her directly.  “Birthday girl, you’re up first.” 
                  Emily was far more willing to participate with only her closest friends around and gladly stepped up to the plate….well, the table, that is.  The first few games went by smoothly enough, but Emily’s skill level was clearly deteriorating by the fifth round.  Kyle stood on the sidelines, sipping his beer and cheering her on.  “I wanna play against yoouuu…”  Her words were clearly slurred as she pointed Kyle’s direction.
                  “Uh, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea sweetie…”  Kyle could likely tell she was already drunk.
                  “I…..am…the birthday girl….so I can do…whatevveerrr I want….and you….I….I mean I….want youuu to play.”  Emily was insistent as she wrapped her arms around him and drug him towards the table’s opposing edge.  She almost fell flat on her face as she returned to her appropriate side of the table, but caught her footing just in time.  Carrie was now standing on that side, as her teammate prepared for pong battle.  “Oh, there you are….how’d it go….with….uh….jockey boy?”  Emily giggled loudly as she asked her friend the question.
                  “Shhh, you gotta be quiet….but…he said…well…”  Carrie was certainly feeling the effects of the liquid poison herself as she lowered her voice to a whisper only Emily could hear. 
                  “Noooo way!”  Emily’s tone inclined rapidly and she wobbled slightly at the shock of knowing her friend might get laid that very night.
                  “Ladies, are we gonna start this game or what?”  Kyle was getting antsy.
                  Everything from midway through that very game became fuzzy to Emily.  It was difficult to say how many shots she took at Carrie’s house.  She knew the number was certainly far more than she had intended.  Either way, everything from that final game encouraging her to drink more, and the present moment, was a blur.
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2. THE ESCAPE
     
     
    Clunk!
    “Ow!”  Renee struggled back onto her feet, rubbing her aching temple.  She frequently rested upon this tree branch, trusting it to bear her weight.  Today, as she attempted to climb it like so many times before, it faltered under her and snapped.  The branch, still hung behind her as though waiting for its