100 Oneshot Challenge thread | open for tracks

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Challenge Thread

Hello, dear reader! That is, if anyone even ends up reading this. That darling Mademoiselle told me that she was keeping a journal for all of her thoughts and told me I should do the same, and I thought it was simply a great idea.

I should probably introduce myself first, mmm?

My name is Cherry Jubilee Michaelson. I'm married to Vince Michaelson (well, I was before my unfortunate end all those moons ago; I'm not currently sure where we stand officially at the moment), and I used to have a daughter named Julia. It was quite odd, you know; I had died as she was born, and somehow my spirit lived on in her. I got to experience her life as though I were a part of her, watching through her eyes all of the events of my beloved clan. I felt her pain and joy and excitement as though it were my own, though I must admit, I simply love being back here for myself, living my own life with my own experiences. It pains me to know my daughter has passed, though I know that she is now with loved ones, such as that adorable Sebastian, Pui's son.

But I ramble.

Before I joined the Enterprise all those seasons ago, I was what you might call a nomad. Ever since I could support myself I was on the move, constantly searching for knowledge and new experiences. Ah, I remember all of the faces I saw and things I tried as though it all happened yesterday. But as I wandered, I realized that there was something missing: stability. As much as I loved to travel, I desired to settle and make friends that I wouldn't have to leave behind soon after meeting.

And so I came to dwell in what was then known as SolarClan. Oh, the friends I made were an absolute delight, and I remember them all dearly. Some of them, sadly, have passed, though I have come to accept that they are in a better place. Although now, it seems many of them are returning, one by one. Dear Vincent returned to the group after his temporary leave, and I came soon after that. Mademoiselle came back, as well. I wonder if any others will come and surprise me? It would be simply delightful!

You know, even though I love all of my friends and those who have even become family, sometimes I wonder what I'm missing out in the world, outside of the Enterprise. What if there is some grand adventure I'm missing? And what of all the experiences I'm missing, the people I cannot meet? It's an ache deep in my heart that sometimes grows difficult for me to suppress. Is there something out there I'm meant to be doing? Someone I'm meant to meet? Sometimes I wish I could travel once more, just for a little while, just to see what I've missed...

But that is just a fantasy. No, the place I'm meant to be is here, among friends and protecting my clan.

Oh dear, how did I get so distracted? Please pardon my ramblings. It can be so easy to get caught up in your thoughts sometimes that you lose track of all time and sense of direction.

I suppose I should stop writing for now; after all, I can't just sit and think all day when there are things to do.

I hope to write again soon.

Word count: 578
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This morning, I woke up as usual in my room, but something was different. The smell and overall atmosphere was much different from which it usually is, with a smothering, musty feel about the place. I opened my eyes and retched; my entire room- the walls, the floor, the cabinets and chairs- were all absolutely crusted in that horrible yellowish mold that we had first discovered in the basement. Oh, it was simply awful; there were even bits of the disgusting parasite that clung to the ends of my fur, upsetting my stomach further. In the light coming in through a window I could see a few spores floating through the air.

I knew I had to get out of the room as fast as I could.

I grabbed my journal and pen quickly as they were sitting next to me (though I had to shake a few spores off of the cover) and made a dash for the door, coughing as I went. I could feel a burning in my chest that only grew stronger as I continued to breathe. The strength of it made me wonder why I hadn't awoken sooner; perhaps I'm a heavier sleeper than I think?

Anyway, as I entered the hallway I noticed that the mold was also covering the walls seemingly everywhere; it was all down the corridor, and the people tripping over each other trying to get to the lobby and, from there, the exit seemed to indicate that it wasn't only in my room.

At this point, I was quite terrified; what will become of the clan? Are we all going to contract the disease caused by the growth and die out? Would I die, so soon after living again? And what of Vincent, or Mademoiselle, or Miyu, or any one of my close friends? Will they be okay?

Oh, I hope we all make it out alive.

Eventually, I was practically carried out of the door, stumbling and coughing all the more violently as the crowd of people rushed to escape the toxicity of the indoor air. I noticed that many were coughing just as I was, and all had bits of the mold on their coats just as I had. I made sure to shake it off as soon as I was outside and able to stand still for a moment. How did it grow so quickly in one night, when I hadn't even so much as glimpsed any in my room until this morning? I suppose the smell was always present; every second one was inside, they would notice the general mustiness of the air. Could it be that it's been in the air constantly and we've been breathing it in, and it simply chose last night to fully blossom?

Perhaps this is the reason the basement was sealed in the first place, and why the hospital was abandoned when it seemed in relatively good shape still. When we found this place we had no idea of the mold, and we didn't even think of there being any problems such as this. We were too busy trying to find shelter from one disaster that we walked directly into another with open arms.

You know, as I sit here in the grass waiting for an announcement or some instruction from Miyu, I am reminded of that day the old school burned down. It was quite similar to this, in fact. I remember thinking that I didn't know that kind of heat was even possible to experience, yet there I was, every part of me burning. The flames singed my fur and scorched my skin, and the smoke made my lungs and eyes and throat burn with their own kind of fire. I know some didn't make it out of there, and that I was lucky to get out before the worst of the blaze. I wonder if any are still in the hospital...

No, I can't think like that. The very thought of anyone dying in a way even similar to Sebastian...I can't bring myself to think like that. No, I'm sure that everyone escaped. They had to have. But even if they escaped the building, can they escape the disease?

I'm still coughing, even as I write. It hasn't stopped since I woke up. In fact, am I feeling it get worse? No, I must be imagining it. My stomach does still feel uneasy, however that could just be from the nervous energy all about me.

I will write again soon.

At least, I hope I will.

Word count: 759[/fancypost]