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      "author": "steemitboard",
      "permlink": "steemitboard-notify-curiousmitchell-20190810t064730000z",
      "title": "",
      "body": "Congratulations @curiousmitchell! You received a personal award!\n\n<table><tr><td>https://steemitimages.com/70x70/http://steemitboard.com/@curiousmitchell/birthday3.png</td><td>Happy Birthday! - You are on the Steem blockchain for 3 years!</td></tr></table>\n\n<sub>_You can view [your badges on your Steem Board](https://steemitboard.com/@curiousmitchell) and compare to others on the [Steem Ranking](https://steemitboard.com/ranking/index.php?name=curiousmitchell)_</sub>\n\n\n###### [Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness](https://v2.steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-vote?witness=steemitboard&approve=1) to get one more award and increased upvotes!",
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      "author": "partiko",
      "permlink": "partiko-re-curiousmitchell-verstopfen-20190226t062424116z",
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      "body": "Hello @curiousmitchell! This is a friendly reminder that you have 3000 Partiko Points unclaimed in your Partiko account!\n\nPartiko is a fast and beautiful mobile app for Steem, and it’s the most popular Steem mobile app out there! Download Partiko using the link below and login using SteemConnect to claim your 3000 Partiko points! You can easily convert them into Steem token!\n\nhttps://partiko.app/referral/partiko\n\n![](https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/statics/partiko-poster-best-steem-app-for-your-phone.jpg)",
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      "body": "I know how it feels @curiousmitchell.. but here is an opportunity to overcome the situation for a few weeks.. just made sure you put your comment in this post \n\nhttps://steemit.com/contest/@thedarkhorse/round-6-free-delegations-for-4-weeks\n\nGood luck!",
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      "body": "Just managed another post now.... after 7 days. For some reason I didn't have enough 'credit' to make another post, and had to wait until my account 'recharged' or buy more credit - what a stupid concept. I think Steemit is seriously flawed - content creators not being able to actually post content? Really, really sucks.",
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      "body": "@@ -313,16 +313,161 @@\n ck.me)%0A%0A\n+!%5B2018-07-24_22-28-33-scaled.jpg%5D(https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWMPA8Yew6kYoGC3Bv2MuuARsaTLGh9oPGjGwQJF8Jqr4/2018-07-24_22-28-33-scaled.jpg)%0A%0A\n ---%0A%0A# V\n",
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      "body": "*A random silver chain is hanging from the sky - seemingly anchored in thin air...*\n\n*Would you pull it?*\n\nA new short story I wrote after recent travels overseas. Berlin is an old city, and full of mystery... Please share - for more stories follow me on Steemit, and go to [Red Tailed Black](http://redtailedblack.me)\n\n---\n\n# Verstopfen\n_*by Mitchell Reese*_\n\nThe stairs stretched up above her, disappearing into the heart of the building. An old wooden banister ran along the steps, the carpet worn bare in places with the passage of many years.\n\nGreta wrinkled her nose – the musty air was damp, mixing with cooking smells and chatter through the walls. The girl wrapped her small hand tightly around her suitcase, and started lugging it up the steps. One, two, three, four – her little arms ached, balancing her bag on the edge of a step. Five…. Six…\n\nFootsteps clattered down the stairs, and a man appeared at the top.\n\n“Greta!” Her father said. “You’re so strong!”\n\nComing down the stairs, Greta’s dad picked up her suitcase and started back up top again.\n\n“Come on honey – we’re almost there!”\n\nThe steps creaked as the girl followed her father, flaming red hair bobbing around her face. As she ran her hands along the smooth wood next to her, the banister wobbled in places. Greta was careful not to push on it too hard. She climbed to the top of the landing, turned the corner – and found another flight of stairs waiting for her.\n\n“Come on sweetheart!” her father called “Just a few more steps.”\n\nGreta creaked her way up the second flight, then a third, then a fourth. All the doors she passed on the landings were closed. On the fifth flight a door stood ajar at the top, light spilling into the hallway. Her mother’s voice came from inside, with her father’s laughter woven around it. Greta took another breath then walked up the last few steps.\n\n“Ah, Greta!” said her father. “There you are.”\n\nHe stooped down low, lifting her off the ground. In front of her father stood a sour little man, with a perpetual frown etched on his face. Her mother stood with an arm around him, trying to smile and look like she was happy to see him. Greta instinctively curled away, burying her face in her father’s neck.\n\n“Greta,” scolded her father. “Say hello to your Onkel Wolfric.” Her father swiveled his body so Greta could see her uncle, but she didn’t want to look.\n\n“Sorry Wolfric,” said her father. “It’s been a long flight and Greta is very shy when she’s tired.”\n\n“Eh.” Grunted Wolfric, turning without a word and walking into his apartment. Greta’s father and mother exchanged a look, then followed him inside.\n\nThe apartment was large – at least to a 5 year old who’d never been in Berlin before. Polished floorboards met with cream walls and large windows – most of them open, with a warm breeze drifting in from across the city.\n\nA balcony jutted out from one wall, large ornate doors standing open to the summer breeze. Boxes of flowers and herbs lined the railings, splashing their color and scent across the view. Greta was entranced, lifting her head and straining to see over the balcony.\n\nWolfric sat at a large table, picked up a book, grunted, and promptly ignored them. Greta’s parents exchanged another look, then set about unpacking and making food.\n\nLeft to herself, Greta began to explore. A tattered rug covered one corner of the room, old patterns woven into something which once would have been colorful. Books lined another wall – none of them with covers a 5 year old would recognise. Greta ran her fingers along the wall of books, stopping when she reached the leg of a table. Staring up, there was her Onkel Wolfric looking down at her.\n\n“Eh.” he grunted, lowering his book enough to see her. “I don’t like children.” He said, English spoken with a thick German burr. Raising his book, the sour face went back to its reading.\n\nGreta wrinkled her nose, sniffed once, and went on with her explorations.\n\nThat night, strange sounds met Greta. Her parents put her to bed while it was still light, and the girl lay for some time listening to the city. Sirens wailed in the distance, only to be cut short and replaced with the laughter of voices far below. Traffic roared up and down the street, with the occasional voice lifted in slurred song.\n\nA mosquito buzzed around her. She slapped it and was still again. Greta had just drifted off to sleep when a door slam lifted her awake again. Footsteps sounded on the stairs – one of the other apartments sending people into the night. As voices faded and the soft night air crept through the window, Greta’s eyes closed once more.\n\nThe next morning bright light spilled in early through the window. Greta’s parents where fast asleep, and the little girl was keen to explore. She crept out from the big bed they shared, and made her way to their door. Creaking it open, Greta began her surveying of the apartment again.\n\nShe walked through a large doorway into the small kitchen. An oven and stovetop stood cold in one corner, next to the old fridge humming with a frosty tone. Floorboards creaked as she walked over them, whispering mysteries about the closed cupboards along the walls.\n\nUnder the table were several holes where the wall met the floor – she wondered if a mouse lived in one. Looking inside showed her blackness however, even when she lay down to get a better look. She poked a finger inside, feeling something sharp prick it. A nail?\n\nShe’d just gotten up when she noticed the door. Small, it was something an adult would have to stoop through. The handle turned easily, but the door seemed stuck. With a big yank she pulled it open, tumbling backwards onto the floor. Inside was a tiny bathroom, complete with a sink, toilet, and shower.\n\nWith the door wide open, Greta stepped inside. It was damp, with water from a past shower wetting the floor. Tiptoeing in, Greta noticed something flashing by the metal pipes under the sink. It was a long, silver chain, dangling over the edge of the basin and almost touching the floor. Greta grinned, and lifted one hand to tug the chain.\n\nOne tug – two – three… nothing happened. Greta grabbed the chain with both hands, and pulled as hard as she could. The sucking sound gurgled from the sink above, with water slipping through the pipes around her. A satisfied smile crept across her face.\n\n“Nein!” yelled a voice from the door. Greta jumped, spinning around as her Onkel stormed in.\n\n“Dummes Mädchen!” he growled. “Don’t you know you should never pull plugs like that?”\n\nOnkel Wolfric snatched the chain from her hands, dumping it angrily back into the sink. Then he paused, bending down low to her. His breath stank – a mix of coffee and cigarettes with something yellow staining his teeth.\n\nGrinning nastily, he whispered very slowly, “What if – the whole world got sucked down the drain?”\n\nGreta’s eyes got very big. As the water sloshed and gurgled it’s way through the pipes, she darted around her uncle and ran to her parents room. Crawling under the covers, she sobbed quietly until her parents woke. Greta didn’t like her Onkel Wolfric.\n\nAs it turned out, her parents didn’t either. The next three days passed in stony silence – except when Wolfric grinned nastily at her. Some uncle’s love playing games with their nieces. Onkel Wolfric loved making gurgling sounds, seeing his terrified niece’s eyes get very wide, and laughing like a hyena. Other than his irregular grunts and thick English, those were the only sounds she heard from him.\n\nOn the third day her mother and Wolfric had an argument. Greta didn’t understand it, but soon after her parents packed their things, and she was ushered towards the door. Looking back, her Onkel Wolfric had the same sour frown on his face. Seeing her watching him, it turned into a broad grin.\n\n“Boo!” he said, grinning fiercer as Greta scampered away. Her face once more buried in her father’s neck, Wolfric’s laughter followed them down the stairs.\n\nThe rest of their time in Berlin passed quickly. After booking into a hotel down the street, the next day Greta and her parents caught a train from Schoenberg to Teirgarten – a large park in the middle of the city. Bicycles, trees, garden paths and large fields of lawn were a delight to Greta, who tumbled and ran the whole time. When she tired her father picked her up to perch on his shoulders. She loved being up so high, and spent the rest of their walk watching sunbathers, walkers, bicycles, and birds before gently nodding off to sleep.\n\nYears passed. Greta left Germany, and Berlin continued on. Traffic, voices, sirens and bicycles all wove their magic, ageing the city as the years trundled by. Wolfric moved away – a young couple took his place. The carpet over the stairs grew thinner – mice continued their dark mysteries within them.\n\nOne day a woman came to the train station in Schoenberg. Fresh faced and young, her flaming red hair tumbled over a pack on her shoulders. With eyes exploring the station she stepped off the train. Cobblestones and odd sounds blended with strange language and unfamiliar words. In a glint of excitement, the girl made her way to the street.\n\n4 blocks later she stood in front of a tall building. 5 stories up and dotted with windows, her eyes scanned the main door for the buzzer. Pressing number 10, she stepped back and waited.\n\n“Allo?”\n\n“Oh hi, it’s Greta here, I booked an Airbnb on – ”\n\n“Ah, ya. Come in. Key in box. Ciao!”\n\nThe door clicked, and Greta pulled. Digging into her pocket she pulled out her phone, then scrolled through until she found the code. The keybox hung from the wall in front of her. A few clicks later and a tarnished silver key was in her hand.\n\nWalking ahead, she stood in a courtyard, surrounded by buildings on 4 sides. After looking at her phone again, Greta took the passage on her right. The smell hit her as soon as she opened the door.\n\nGreta’s nose wrinkled – the musty air was damp, mixing with cooking smells and chatter through the walls. A flight of stairs stretched up above her, disappearing into the heart of the building. An old wooden banister ran along the steps, the carpet worn bare in places with the passage of many years.\n\nHands tightening around her pack straps, the girl began to climb.\n\n5 flights later, Greta found herself on a landing with a closed door. Fitting the key in the lock, she took a deep breath, opened the door, and went inside.\n\nThe young couple renting Greta their apartment had left it clean and tidy. Shutting the door behind her, she immediately started to explore. Ornate doors opened onto a balcony overlooking the city, with boxes of flowers blending their fragrance with the view. A fireplace stood off to one side, with a more modern heater perched next to it. Shelves lined a whole wall, with cd’s, shells, books, and other assorted oddments staring back at her.\n\nThrough the kitchen was a small door – it must lead to the bathroom, she supposed. With a hard tug it opened, spilling light from a window at the far wall onto her face. An inkling of memory began tugging at her thoughts.\n\nPeering at the sink, she looked for a long, silver chain stretching to the floor. It wasn’t there. A small plug perched near the taps, ready to stop the water should she choose. With a small sigh, she crept from the room, and started unpacking her things left in the hallway.\n\nThe next day Greta caught the train from Schoenberg to Teirgarten. A large park in the middle of the city, Greta loved the space of it all. Sunbathers, bike riders, children – even an odd man playing the flute caught her eyes as she walked. It was a fine day, and Greta drank it in.\n\nSitting under a large tree, Greta sighed. This was exactly how she remembered Berlin as a little girl. Greta was content. And then a glimmering caught her eye.\n\nIt was hanging about 50 yards away – a silver chain, stretching down from the sky. The breeze shifted it back and forth, refracting light as it swayed. Greta crept closer – nothing was holding it up. Surely a trick of the light, perhaps a fishing line hanging from the branches above?\n\nLooking up, Greta saw empty sky.\n\nHer hand moved above the chain. Nothing happened. Bringing it downwards, the chain dodged to the side, sliding like water past her fingers. She could feel the chain, but not the top of it ending in thin air.\n\nHow strange… Greta thought.\n\nA grin crept across her lips. She grabbed the end of the chain, and pulled. Nothing happened. Another tug, then a third. The chain continued to hang, holding close its mysteries.\n\nGreta fished into her bag, taking out her phone to snap a picture. And as if she were dredging up memories from long ago, her Onkel Wolfric’s nasty voice came unbidden back to her.\n\n“Nein! Dummes Mädchen! Don’t you know you should never pull plugs like that?”\n\nWith a wicked grin, Greta dropped her phone into the bag. Wrapping both hands around the chain, the girl tugged as hard as she could. It gave way, pulling free with a loud POP. The force holding it was gone, with the chain now hanging limply in her hands. A loud gurgling sound echoed all around her.\n\nColors spiraled, shifting, turning – like a large pinwheel spinning round and round. The trees, grass, people – everything became a great whirl of color, shrinking to a central point. And then, with a great shucking sound, it was gone.\n\nGreta stood in blackness, her breath coming very fast. That shouldn’t…\n\n“Nein!” Came a voice. “Dummes Mädchen!” From far in the distance, a single pinpoint of light grew brighter.\n\nA strange figure emerged. 8 legs – or arms – scuttling it along. The thing crept closer, peering at Greta out of segmented jet black eyes.\n\n“Don’t you know you never should pull plugs like that?” it growled, a thick voice buzzing like a thousand tiny insects.\n\nGreta was in shock. The chain – a plug? This… thing.\n\n“Ssss – sorry?” she offered.\n\n“Sorry? SORRY!? I’ll be sorry – there’s a whole world to dream!” the thing buzzed.\n\nAround her grew a subtle light, illuminating the space in darkness. A chair, desk, and lamp grew from the blackness. On the desk perched an old book, with an ink pot and quill placed next to it.\n\n“Well girl,” the thing said, “start writing!”\n\n“Ww- what am I writing?” she stammered.\n\n“The world girl, the world!” It cried. “There’s a whole world to dream!”\n\nIt scuttled off, muttering to itself, seemingly taking the light with it. A pinprick of brightness fading into the distance – then it was gone.\n\nGreta stood in blackness, only the desk illuminated by the lamp. She stepped into the light, and frowned. Darkness pressed in on her from all sides, a velvety blackness that swallowed sound whole.\n\n“Hhhh – Hello?” she called. No echo returned, only dampened sound and distance.\n\nGreta sat in the chair and opened the book. A green light spilled across her face. The first page of the book was blank. They were all blank. Picking up the quill and dipping it in the ink, Greta started to write.\n\n---\n*Thanks for reading! For more stories, follow me on Steemit, and visit my website, [Red Tailed Black](http://redtailedblack.me)*",
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      "author": "steemitboard",
      "permlink": "steemitboard-notify-curiousmitchell-20190102t115356000z",
      "title": "",
      "body": "Congratulations @curiousmitchell! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :\n\n<table><tr><td>https://steemitimages.com/60x70/http://steemitboard.com/@curiousmitchell/votes.png?201901021055</td><td>You made more than 10 upvotes. Your next target is to reach 50 upvotes.</td></tr>\n</table>\n\n<sub>_[Click here to view your Board](https://steemitboard.com/@curiousmitchell)_</sub>\n<sub>_If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word_ `STOP`</sub>\n\n\n\n> Support [SteemitBoard's project](https://steemit.com/@steemitboard)! **[Vote for its witness](https://v2.steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-vote?witness=steemitboard&approve=1)** and **get one more award**!",
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      "body": "Congratulations @curiousmitchell! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :\n\n<table><tr><td>https://steemitimages.com/60x60/http://steemitboard.com/notifications/firstcommented.png</td><td>You got a First Reply</td></tr>\n</table>\n\n<sub>_[Click here to view your Board](https://steemitboard.com/@curiousmitchell)_</sub>\n<sub>_If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word_ `STOP`</sub>\n\n\n\n> Support [SteemitBoard's project](https://steemit.com/@steemitboard)! **[Vote for its witness](https://v2.steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-vote?witness=steemitboard&approve=1)** and **get one more award**!",
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      "body": "Post it everyday if you have many 😂 just try to link your blog to steemit, but check on it once a while to respond the commenters (if there're any) because thst's how we grow on steemit.. with community.\n\nI know you'll be able to join the writing contest too.",
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      "body": "Hey @cicisaja, glad you liked it! I've got other stories I haven't uploaded yet, and I'm aiming to create something new each week. Sometimes stories, sometimes music recording - always something creative. I didn't have much to post up on Steemit before, though I do now. Catch you around! M",
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      "body": "really nice story @curiousmitchell, wondering why you've been away from steemit too long, would love to read more story from you on steemit though.\n\nI like the way you wrote the story, I will be happy to have that kind of blink dog for real.",
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      "author": "curiousmitchell",
      "permlink": "blink-dog",
      "title": "Blink Dog",
      "body": "Blink Dog - a new Australian story. What happens when you can't leave your dog behind? You can find similar work on my website: http://redtailedblack.me\n\n![ruby-schmank-783781-unsplash-edit-cropped.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTwqTXRVHbThkHoWYpqku4MKZMQ38i7cLz1Uef3AiK7ES/ruby-schmank-783781-unsplash-edit-cropped.jpg)\n*Photo by Ruby Schmank on Unsplash*\n\n**Blink Dog**\n*by Mitchell Reese*\n\nHe was just a pup when we got him. A tiny ball of brown-white fluff, and I loved him instantly. We all did, but right away he became mine.\n\nDad took on training him. First the papers in the laundry, then walks around our neighbourhood. He did all the puppy things that young dogs do: shoes and socks and leather purses – nothing was safe. We loved him through it all.\n\nDad was firm – he approached having a dog like he did everything – methodically and with great enthusiasm. Our dog listened to him – but he loved me. Sometimes, I’d only have to think something and the next thing I knew he’d be doing it.\n\nIt was my sister who gave him his name – Marlo. After that, nothing else seemed to fit.\n\nPuppies grow, which is what Marlo did. He was almost 6 months old when the strangeness began.\n\nMy sister and I were riding to the park near our house. It was only 10 minutes on a bike, but at 8 I felt very brave going on my own. Doubly so to have my sister to take care of – I made sure she could keep up with me. At 5 she’d only just learnt to ride, and couldn’t zip fast like I could.\n\nDad was always telling us to lock the gate, that we couldn’t afford to let Marlo out. He was so worried that I triple checked it before we left. Everything closed tight, Ellen and I peddalled towards the park.\n\nWe were half way there when Marlo caught up with us.\n\n“Look Mark! Marlo!!!” Ellen shouted.\n\nWhirling around, there he was. We didn’t make it to the park that day, and turned back to take Marlo home.\n\nDad was pretty upset, though looking back I think it was impossible for Marlo to have gotten out. Probably for any other dog, it would have been. Dad made us promise we’d check 4 times the gate was shut. The next day, I helped dad board up some ‘holes’ under the fence. Personally I couldn’t see how Marlo escaped, but at 8 years old I was all about making dad happy.\n\nThat would have been the end of it, except that Marlo kept getting out. Sometimes he’d appear on our neighbour’s lawn, others he’d just sit on the other side of the fence, tongue hanging out like he was laughing at us. Most often he’d wait until everyone left our house, then appear running after us. Dad said he was a regular old houdini.\n\nMarlo followed us everywhere – to the swimming pool, the shops, our school. It was the darndest thing, and didn’t seem to matter where we left him or how we tied him up. Somehow he always got out, even slipping out of his collar if he needed to.\n\n“At least he won’t be picked up by the pound!” Dad joked. Except he was.\n\nWe got a call from the council when he was 8 months old. For some reason his microchip wouldn’t scan, and his collar was missing again. One of the council workers recognised him however, and called us as soon as he came in. My sister and I went with dad to get him, and there he was – sitting in a kennel looking dejected and forlorn. He didn’t get out again for a week after that.\n\nIt wasn’t so bad when he got older, but as a puppy he’d turn up anywhere. That time at the library was the worst…\n\nAt 8, I loved going to the library with mum. I read all the time, sometimes spending hours curled up with a book.\n\nThat afternoon we tied Marlo up at home, making sure the gate was closed. We told him to stay, and that we’d be back soon. Mum, Ellen and I pedalled off on our bikes, taking the long way by the harbour to the library. Marlo didn’t follow us.\n\nAt the library I combed the kids section, grabbing a dozen books to look through. After setting Ellen up with a ‘Where’s Wally’, I curled up on the leather beanbag to read about pirates and starships.\n\nI’d just gotten to a really good bit – a pirate ship shooting into the sun – when I felt something warm nudge my leg. Annoyed, I turned to the side. I was just getting settled again when the ripping began.\n\nIt all happened at once then – my sister yelling “Marlo!”, the libarian running into the kids section, my dog chewing books stacked next to me – my mum with her face buried in her hands. It was a long time before we were allowed back in the library again\n\nThat night Marlo was in disgrace. He slept outside, and missed out on dinner. The next day he was fed, but wasn’t let back in again – I think mum meant to keep him outside. Ellen and I snuck him back in. It must have made an impression though, Marlo stayed in our yard for 2 weeks after that.\n\nBy the time Marlo was a year, he didn’t get out as much. Looking back though, I think he was just getting better at not being seen. My sister Ellen however kept coming up with the weirdest stories.\n\nIt was a weekend towards the end of summer, and I had been at the park all afternoon. Sitting at the kitchen counter eating cookies with milk, Ellen marched into the kitchen.\n\n“Marlo just blinked across the yard!” she yelled “And gimme a cookie!” At 5 Ellen yelled everything.\n\n“What?” I said.\n\n“Gimme a cookie you rat!” yelled Ellen, snatching at one from my plate. Ellen wasn’t very good at sharing either.\n\nI wrestled the cookie from my sister, then got her another one from the cupboard.\n\n“What do you mean, Marlo blinked?” I said, sure this was just another Ellenism. She could mean almost anything, and often did.\n\n“Marlo was by our cubby then blinked to the tree!” Ellen blurted. The tree was on the other side of the yard.\n\nI sighed. “You mean YOU blinked, and Marlo ran to the tree.” I said patiently.\n\n“NO!” Ellen yelled. “HE blinked, and was at the tree.” She stamped her feet, crossing her arms and sticking out her lower lip. The kid was adorable, and I tried hard not to laugh.\n\n“Ok Ellen,” I said, “lets go climb our tree.”\n\nEllen’s face brightened like the sun behind a cloud, we grabbed 2 more cookies and ran out back to climb our favorite tree – a big twisted gum with lots of low branches. Ellen was good like that – easily distractable where climbing was concerned.\n\nAs a kid, Marlo was always there – often showing up just when he was needed. I remember my first fight, and how very badly it might have been if Marlo hadn’t appeared.\n\nI was 11, and Marlo was fully grown. A big, brown and white dog that looked like a bear. His snout was short, with stubby ears, massive paws and a long, wagging tail. Ellen would often ride him, and when we played Marlo would always tumble me over. He was a gentle giant though – I hardly ever remember him growling or snapping at anyone, and never got even a scratch when we were playing.\n\nOne day after school, Danny Morgan tried to pick a fight with me. Danny was mean, and had always hated me. At 13, he should have been in year 7 or 8, but had been held back. I was the youngest kid in year 6, having started school early. Good at reading, I also came first in maths – Danny hated me for it.\n\nMum said his parents might hit him at home, and we should be kind to him. Sometimes he came to school with odd bruises and scrapes – once even with a black eye. I thought it more likely he was picking fights with the high school kids – Danny was mean and loved to show it. I could imagine him pulling the wings off of small flies, then laughing as he watched them struggle. It was very nearly what he and his cronies did to the younger kids each day – only the teachers kept them in line.\n\nI tried to ignore him, but being a bright kid in class didn’t help. School was dull enough as it was – I couldn’t sit still when a question needed answering. My hand usually shot up first. Whenever we had a substitute teacher Danny would hit me with spitballs. Luckily our teacher didn’t go away much.\n\nIt was a Thursday, and we’d just gotten back from lunch. Melissa was handing our tests out to everyone – she was a prissy girl who loved being right. With a flourish she dropped the papers in front of me, then flounced off. Holding my breath, I looked at the mark: B+. I’d done alright. It was a hard maths test, and I hadn’t studied much the night before.\n\nGlancing around the room I caught site of Danny Morgan. He was reading his test like it wanted to bite him, his face nearly in tears. I started feeling sorry for him. Just before I looked away, he caught me watching him, a mask of indifference slipping over his face. Danny crumpled his test and threw it behind him. Then he looked at me and grinned, smacking his fist into a hand. From 5 seats away I heard him whisper,\n\n“Tonight worm, after school – you’re gonna get it!”\n\nLater that day the bell rang for home-time, and we filed out of the classroom. Danny bumped my shoulder as we left.\n\n“Oops!” Grunted Danny. “So sorry maggot – didn’t see you there.”\n\nI pushed past him, and made my way down the stairs. Out front the school was a bustling madness of kids, parents, bikes, and a few dogs. Usually Ellen walked with me, but today she had gymnastics and Mum would get her. I crossed the street and started home.\n\nIt was only a 20 minute walk – I usually cut through the park and a couple alleyways to make it shorter. Sometimes I stuck around to talk to friends and play footy on the field, but today I headed straight home. I didn’t want to see Danny or any of his mates.\n\nOn the block turning into Clarence street, I heard the footsteps. Big, heavy boots hitting the pavement – the kind of boots that liked to kick people when they were down. Glancing behind I saw Danny and 5 of his mates. I walked faster.\n\n“Hey maggot-brain! Where the PISS do you think you’re goin’?”\n\nIt was Danny who yelled out, with laughs coming from his friends. It didn’t warrant a reply, but I walked faster. So did they.\n\n“I’m talking to YOU dickless. Come ‘ere!”\n\nI’d been studying karate the past year, and knew a few ways to look after myself. But 6 on 1 wasn’t good odds. I doubted whether I could take Danny on his own, let alone with 5 of his mates. I was in trouble.\n\nThe footsteps got quicker, and I bolted into a dead sprint. Jumping the curb and hurtling into the park, I darted through trees and around the fountain.\n\n“Hey ARSE-WIPE, get back here!” Danny bellowed, pelting along behind me.\n\nI’d almost made it to Carlton street when one of them grabbed me. It was my bag that did it. Just as I jumped a log at the edge of the park, one of Danny’s goons grabbed my backpack. I hit the ground, rolling to get up. A boot slammed into my gut. Big, black, heavy. My breath whooshed out, and I lay gasping on the ground.\n\n“Pick ‘im up boys!” said Danny. Three sets of hands grabbed me, hauling me along. Danny leered as I was dragged over the gravel.\n\n“Kid,” he said, “I’m gonna screw you up good.” Witty dialogue wasn’t the bully’s strong point.\n\nDanny and his mates hauled me back into the park, behind some bushes near the large rocks. I’d spent many hours spying on people from there – it was hard to see from the paths.\n\nI knew Danny could hurt people. He had beatten up an eighth grader when he was in year 5. With 2 of his mates pinning my arms, I didn’t stand a chance. I’d like to think I fought and made it difficult for them, but I was too scared. To be honest, I’m lucky I didn’t wet my pants.\n\n“Prop him up boys.” said Danny, taking something bright and shiny out of his pocket. Brass knuckles? Who even wears those? Apparenty Danny did.\n\nHe was just sizing me up, wondering how to do the most damage, when something shifted. I don’t know how else to describe it. One moment I was standing with Danny and 5 of his mates, and the next there was a shimmering in the air. It felt like heat and – something else. Suddenly, standing next to me was Marlo.\n\nA deep growl erupted from his throat, and the dog hurled himself from me. The goons ran – they all did – but Marlo landed on top of Danny. The kid’s screams were high pitched, but I was too stunned to feel much sympathy. 10 seconds later the shock had worn off – I grabbed Marlo’s tail and hauled him away.\n\nDanny was a mess – torn clothes, dirt in his hair. He scrambled back away from us, grabbing a big stick from the ground.\n\n“Get your dog off!” he screamed. “I mean it!”\n\nDanny held up the stick – Marlo growled. The kids’ face went white, and Danny bolted into the bushes, dropping the stick with a cry as he went.\n\nImmediately, Marlo stopped growling, and started wagging his tail. All smiles and laughter, he looked over at me as if to say, Who, me?\n\n“Come on mate,” I said, “let’s go home”.\n\nThat night dad got a call from Danny’s dad, saying he was gonna sue us and get that ‘mongrel’ put down. The police even came round, but charges were dropped the next day. Despite some torn clothing, Marlo hadn’t actually hurt Danny. No bites, only a few scratches from the sticks and bushes. Turns out the police told Danny he better stop trying to beat up younger kids, and left it at that.\n\nWhen I told my parents the whole story, Marlo got steak for dinner. We all made a fuss of him. Marlo didn’t mind.\n\nI knew dad wouldn’t believe me, but Ellen got it. Later that night we whispered together in her room.\n\n“He wasn’t there one minute sis, and then – he just appeared!” I said.\n\nEllen nodded sagely.\n\n“That’s what I’ve been telling you.” she said. “He blinked.”\n\nI couldn’t think of any other way to describe it.\n\nIt was late September – springtime – in my 14th year when the train roared into our lives, leaving sadness and wonder behind.\n\nEllen was 11 going on 22 – already a teenager and full to the brim of sassiness. We’d decided to go on a family bushwalk, only at the last minute dad didn’t come – something about work and needing to finish a report.\n\nThere was no question about Marlo coming – I’m not sure we could have stopped him if we tried. It was always easier to invite him in the first place. Mum and Ellen were in the front, with my dog and I crammed in the back of her small car. Marlo loved sticking his head out of the window, his tongue lolling in the breeze.\n\nWe got to the park – a long stretch of bushland by the sea – and Marlo started sniffing trees. Finding the best place to leave his mark was a favorite pastime. He let us go ahead, then bounded after to catch up.\n\nEllen led us, choosing a looping trail that wound high up on the cliffs above the sea. My backpack held our lunches, water, and some doggie treats for Marlo – we were planning a picnic at the top. Once there the view was spectacular, with the ocean wrapping around the coast on the curved peninsula we stood on. We unpacked out picnic and started to tuck in. Around us came the sounds of birds, waves crashing far below – and a steam engine whistle in the distance.\n\nMy sister loved trains – particularly steam engines. I had to smile – Ellen had chosen this route because it would bring us near the steam engine tracks that ran on the weekends through this park – part of the ‘scenic getaway’ packages advertised from our town. The girl wasn’t interested in dolls or dresses, but give her a tree to climb or a train to ride and she’d be all smiles. I loved my sister, though she could be infuriating at times.\n\nAs soon as the whistle sounded, Ellen couldn’t wait to get moving again. Despite it being a half hour walk to the tracks, and that the train would be gone by then, she started packing away our things. I sighed. Arguing with my sister was like fighting with a bull – and just as painful. Marlo gave me a weary look, then bounded after Ellen as I put away everything from our picnic. There was no stopping her sometimes.\n\nMum and I followed Ellen down the track, winding through tall gums and sheltered woodlands. We skirted a pond, and found ourselves looking down a steep drop to the train tracks below. Ellen was up a tree, shinnying out on a branch overhanging the drop.\n\n“Ellen!” Mum called. “Get down from there!”\n\n“It’s alright Mum,” cried Ellen. “I checked the train times and another one’s due soon. I just want to get a good look.”\n\nSure enough, a train whistle sounded in the distance. Ellen’s eyes brightened, and with a manic light grinning in them she crept further along the branch. I put a hand on Mum’s arm.\n\n“Don’t worry Mum, she’ll be fine. Ellen’s always up a tree.”\n\nMum looked on with worried eyes, and the sound of the train grew closer. We couldn’t see it from where we stood – there was a bend the train would have to come around first. Ellen crept out even further – and with a loud SNAP, the branch broke.\n\n“EEEEEEEKKKKK!!!” She screamed, plunging down the bank. She hit the edge, sliding on the branch down the slope. Gravel skidded with dirt, leaves, and branches – Ellen screaming all the way down.\n\n“Ellen!!!” Mum cried, trying to find her way down the slope. I dropped my pack and started scurrying down as well, but finding a way was tricky – I didn’t want to go how Ellen had.\n\nMy sister came to a stop at the bottom of the slope, tumbling down the hill and onto the railway tracks.\n\n“Ow, ow, ow, ow owieowieowieowie owwwwwwwww!!!!” she yelled. Ellen scrambled up, crashing down again as her ankle gave way. The girl screamed. As if in answer, the train whistle sounded again – shattering the bushland with a roar. It was coming around the bend.\n\n“ELLEN!” screamed Mum.\n\nA steam train rounded the corner, its horn announcing the arrival. I was just ahout to throw myself down the slope – perhaps if I could get there fast enough – but Marlo was faster. An odd shimmering, a flash of movement – and something shifted. Then it was Marlo on the tracks, with Ellen above me on the trail.\n\nThe train never slowed. Later we wondered if the conductor even saw Marlo. We didn’t hear the impact – the train was too loud for that. It was some time later when we found our dog.\n\nMy sister wasn’t hurt badly – cuts and bruises, her ankle only slightly twisted. With mums help we got her down to the bottom where the tracks were, there was a path only a few hundred metres down the trail. It took some time to find Marlo.\n\nHe was lying on his side, whimpering, and looking up at the sky. There was no blood, but he didn’t seem able to move. It was hard to see with all the tears in my eyes, but I started looking him over, prodding gently to find where he was injured.\n\n“Please Marlo.” I said. “Please be ok.”\n\nBut he wasn’t. The whimpers grew quieter, until Marlo was still. We needed to get help, but there didn’t seem to be an easy way of moving him. I’d just gotten my phone out to call dad, when something… changed. A shifting, shimmering rocked the air, bright colours dancing around my head. High above I saw an enormous figure – a man – walking through the sky.\n\n“Here boy!” said a deep voice. A whistle, and from Marlo’s still body rose a brightly coloured, glowing dog. As it leapt skyward the glowing dog grew to the size of the man – and then they were gone. I remember staring for a long moment, but when I looked back down at Marlo, he had vanished.\n\nDad didn’t understand when we told him – how could he? Yet he didn’t question that Marlo was gone, and that something bad had happened to all of us. It was heart breaking to see him try and cope – dad never really did get anything out of the ordinary.\n\nThree weeks later it happened. We were sitting around the tv, watching a funny cop show when we heard his bark. We all paused, listening until it came again. I picked up the remote, muting the tv so we could listen. There was a scraping sound from the back door.\n\nDad opened it, and a wash of colours jumped inside. It was like being bathed in liquid sunlight – a warmth that reached into my chest as well as my heart. 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