Monday, August 24, 2020

Copernicium or Ununbium Facts - Cn or Element 112

Copernicium or Ununbium Facts - Cn or Element 112 Copernicium or UnunbiumBasic Facts Nuclear Number: 112 Image: Cn Nuclear Weight: [277] Disclosure: Hofmann, Ninov et al. GSI-Germany 1996 Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f14 6d10 7s2 Name Origin: Named for Nicolaus Copernicus, who proposed the heliocentric close planetary system. The pioneers of copernicum needed the components name to respect a renowned researcher who didn't get a lot of acknowledgment during his own liferime. Additionally, Hofmann and his group wished to respect the significance of atomic science to other logical fields, for example, astronomy. Properties: The science of copernicum is relied upon to be like that of the components zinc, cadmium, and mercury. As opposed to the lighter components, component 112 rots after a small amount of a thousandth of a second by producing alpha particles to initially turn into an isotope of component 110 with nuclear mass 273, and afterward an isotope of hassium with nuclear mass 269. The rot chain has been followed for three progressively alpha-rots to fermium. Sources: Element 112 was created by intertwining (dissolving together) a zinc particle with a lead iota. The zinc molecule was quickened to high energies by a substantial particle quickening agent and coordinated onto a lead target. Component Classification: Transition Metal References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001), Langes Handbook of Chemistry (1952), CRC Handbook of Chemistry Physics (eighteenth Ed.) Intermittent Table of the Elements

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Am Certain and It Is Certain

Two quite certain various messages are passed on when one says â€Å"l am certain† versus â€Å"it is sure. At the point when one says â€Å"l am certain,† it is comprehended by the beneficiary to imply that the individual is in the most noteworthy mental condition of being doubtlessly. Be that as it may, this varies from â€Å"It Is certain† in light of the fact that the word â€Å"It† Implies an accord respectable, an understanding, no ifs, ands or buts, between numerous people In making an information guarantee. In the two cases an information guarantee Is being made with certainty, however one individual's assurance depends on the Individual's observation, Intuition. Season or feeling, though an entire gathering of humankind making an information guarantee relies upon various individuals' discernments, reasons, and feelings. Since an extraordinary number of individuals comprises of numerous people and their interesting observations, reasons, and feeli ngs, when an information guarantee is made by all, the case is moved from essentially a conviction to a Justified conviction. Notwithstanding, despite the fact that the quantity of individuals may fluctuate from one to many, we should mull over the way that there are different degrees of certainty.How would one evaluate measure of conviction one holds, or have the option to make a widespread scale for estimating degrees of sureness? Assurance inside a people or an individual can have been established from numerous efferent variables, of which one is energetic conviction. The inquiry, tending to energetic conviction, Inquires whether It Is ever adequate for Justifying information guarantee. The inquiry Is Implying whether enthusiastic conviction alone, not Including reason, is adequate for supporting information claims.Passionate conviction that doesn't flourish in reason must be originating from exclusively the passionate state, which isn't adequate for Justifying information much o f the time on the grounds that additional proof ought to be introduced and ought to have the option to be settled upon from one's recognition (if conceivable ND reason. â€Å"l am energetically persuaded that daffodils blossom in the springtime† is an information guarantee that depends on reason and observation, which fuel the enthusiastic conviction.However, enthusiastic conviction that did not depend on different methods of knowing is generally not adequate for Justifying claims. In any case, there are a couple of occurrences where energetic feelings might be adequate for Justifying information. Since enthusiastic conviction Is established In feeling, a feeling can direct your energetic conviction. On the off chance that I feel compassion for somebody being dealt with harshly, my energetic innovation might be sufficient to Justify my â€Å"knowledge† that the other individual wants to not De put tongue ten solution.However, delicate are, again numerous Deterrent leve ls AT enthusiastic conviction. How might you measure the level of enthusiastic conviction? Moreover, would one say one is reason for energetic conviction more significant than another reason for enthusiastic conviction, and does that change the quality of one's energetic conviction? These are a couple of information gives that should be distinguished and mulled over when choosing whether enthusiastic conviction is adequate for supporting information.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Salvia Divinorum Myths, Effects, Risks, and How to Get Help

Salvia Divinorum Myths, Effects, Risks, and How to Get Help Addiction Drug Use Print What to Know About Salvia Divinorum Use By Barbara Poncelet Barbara Poncelet, CRNP, is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in teen health. Learn about our editorial policy Barbara Poncelet Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 12, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 David J. Stang/ Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 More in Addiction Drug Use Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand What Does Salvia Do? Common Side Effects Signs of Use Myths and Common Questions Addiction and Withdrawal How to Get Help View All Back To Top Salvia divinorum is a fast-acting hallucinogenic herb thats become a popular recreational drug among teenagers and young adults. Although salvia isnt illegal according to federal law, a handful of states and a number of countries have passed laws to regulate its use. Still, its often called a legal trip because it can mimic the effects of illicit substances like LSD and ecstasy though salvias effects dont last as longâ€"usually around 8 minutesâ€"after which, they taper off. Despite its legal status, salvia has not been deemed safe. In fact, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists salvia as a drug of concern that poses risk to people who use it. Also Known As: Salvia is also commonly called Magic Mint, Sally-D, Diviners Sage, Ska Maria Pastora, Seers Sage, Shepherdesss Herb, Lady Sally, Purple Sticky, and Incense Special. Drug Class: Salvia is classified as a hallucinogen. Common Side Effects: Side effects of the drug can include visual distortions and hallucinations, intense dissociation and disconnections from reality, disorientation or dizziness, synesthesia (“hearing” colors of “smelling sounds), cartoon-like imagery, improved mood, and uncontrollable laughter. How to Recognize Salvia Salvia is a perennial herb thats part of the mint family. Its commonly found in southern Mexico, Central America, and South America. The plant has large green leaves with white and purple flowers that typically grow in large clusters to more than three feet in height. Salvia can be sold as seeds, leaves, or as a liquid extract and, upon burning, many say the smell is similar to incense. What Does Salvia Do? The active ingredient in the salvia herb is salvinorin A, a chemical that acts on certain receptors in the brain and causes hallucinations. Only when enough salvinorin A is absorbed through the oral mucosa or the lungs and into the bloodstream can a psychoactive effect be produced. Some people compare smoking salvia to “flipping a switch”â€"in a moment, everything turns from normal to an altered sense of reality and self-awareness. People often describe it as a “20-minute acid trip,” which can begin less than a minute after smoking the herb. This short duration may be appealing to first-time users who are afraid of having a long trip that can last for hours. Salvia is said to change your “interoception,” or the experience of what’s going on in your body, as well as create feelings of disorientation and uncertainty about what’s real. Precisely how much salvia is needed to produce these effects varies depending on the person as well as leaf quality and potency. Many people who try salvia dont like it, describing the experience as intense, disturbing, and frighteningâ€"not fun or euphoric. What the Experts Say According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, salvinorin A is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen. How salvia acts in the brain is still being studied, but we do know that salvinorin A changes the signaling process of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain by attaching to nerve cell receptors called kappa opioid receptors. It also influences dopamine receptors in the brain. In the early 2000s, teenagers were recording themselves using salvia and posting videos online (some with 500,000 views on YouTube). Luckily, salvia has decreased in popularity among teenagers since then. The 2018 Monitoring the Future Study of eighth-, tenth-, and twelfth-graders showed that less than 1% of teens say they use salvia. Off-Label Uses Salvia has traditionally been used by shamans as a healing and divining tool (salvia divinorum translates to sage of the seers). According to Daniel Siebert, whos researched salvia for more than 20 years, the herb was used to induce a visionary trance state that made it possible for these healers to determine the underlying cause of disease and learn what steps to take to remedy it. At this time, there is no medical use for salvia. However, research is underway to investigate the use of salvinorin A in the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as well as addiction. Common Side Effects Salvia has been reported to cause intense effects, including: Visual distortions and hallucinationsUncontrollable laughterIntense dissociation and disconnectedness from reality (being unable to tell the difference between whats real and whats not)Physical or visual impairmentDisorientation and dizzinessSynesthesia, in which physical sensations become intertwined and its possible to “hear” colors or “smell” soundsDysphoria, where users felt uncomfortable or unpleasant after the drugs use Many of these effects raise a concern about the dangers of driving under the influence of salvia. Additionally, any drug that leaves you incapacitated during the time its working increases the risk for serious injury in any capacity. Its not clear if there have been any deaths associated with salvia. The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction notes that emergency reports have described lasting psychosis in vulnerable people. At least one suicide has been blamed on salvia. The long-term effects of using the drug also arent known. However, studies with animals showed that salvia can harm learning and memory. Signs of Use Since teens can access salvia easier than some other types of drugs, its important for parents to educate themselves and their kids on its potential danger. If you suspect drug use, pay attention to any behavioral changes (sleep and eating patterns), mood and personality shifts, hygiene and appearance problems, health issues (depression), or school concerns (missing classes, declining grades, loss of interest in hobbies/school events). Also, take note if your loved one is burning incense; which many say is similar to the smell of Magic Mint when smoked. Consider searching for any seeds, leaves, liquid extracts, or drug paraphernalia (such as bongs, pipes, or rolling papers). And dont overlook their digital devices, notes Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, which can contain frequent contacts, messages, or social media posts that indicate the use of salvia (once called TheYouTube drug). Myths and Common Questions Often, salvia is mistaken as a legal alternative to marijuana. But other than the fact that it is green, dried, and can be smoked, it has nothing in common with cannabis. People who smoke salvia will not experience a milder type of high than when smoking pot. Another myth is that salvia is linked to violent behavior, including suicide and murder. While acts of violence are possible, especially if the person has a history of violence, there is no evidence to support this link.   Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal It’s not clear if using salvia leads to addiction. More research is needed to learn about its addictive properties as well as whether it is possible to build tolerance (needing more and more to get high) and experience symptoms of drug withdrawal. How Long Does Salvia Stay in Your System? How long salvia will remain in your body depends on several factors, including dosage, how often you use the drug, your age, weight, and metabolism, as well as your hydration and activity levels. Drug testing for salvia is uncommon and expensive. Addiction While more research is needed on the addiction potential of salvia, your risk may be higher if someone in your family is struggling with a substance use disorder and you are frequently tripping. Withdrawal More research is needed to determine if people who misuse salvia experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping abruptly. How to Get Help If you suspect that your teen is misusing salvia, do your best to spend some time together, watch for any signs of use, and talk openly about the potential dangers of the drug. While there are no FDA-approved drugs to treat salvia abuse, behavioral therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found effective for people misusing other dissociative drugs. Since there is still more research needed on tolerance and withdrawal, quitting cold turkey may not be your best bet. If someone is continually using a drug to escape from reality, they likely needs proper medical care to detox safely from the drug and to address any underlying mental health issues. If you find yourself needing to put your loved one into rehab, ask your healthcare provider for suggestions. The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids  also has a helpline and tips to ensure families find a reputable addiction treatment center.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

The Toy Soldier And War - 1380 Words

The Toy Soldier and War Commemoration War cannot simply be set aside or forgotten; war creates a sense of national mood that infiltrates various aspects of society and culture and reaches entire populations, not solely adults. When looking at the significance and history behind classic dolls, a large toy store transforms into a warehouse for the preservation and education of war. This paper will examine the history of toy soldiers, discuss the importance of war dolls on education, and access the dialogue surrounding the psychological effects of war and play. In so doing, I hope to paint a broad understanding of the significance of dolls, specifically toy soldiers, in terms of war commemoration and their impact on society. The childhood†¦show more content†¦These small figurines, standing at 2  ¼ inches tall, represent uniformed personnel and combatants and convey a vast history of battle. They exemplify major battles and even provide other fighters like Samurais. The extensive collections of stand-alone characters and boxed sets, along with landscape scenery, allow children and collectors to recreate entire battle-scenes. Thus, not only do children play with the figurines, they also learn intensive history about various wars through this interaction. The manufacturing of toy soldiers continued to increase, and in the United States, â€Å"lead and plastic soldiers were so widely available, [that] many baby-boomers grew up collecting both.† Though they suffered a minor setback due to growing anti-war sentiment in America during the Vietnam War, many children of the 1960s reminisced as adults about their collections, only to find out their parents sold their figurines. This led to a res urgence in the popularity of toy soldiers. Furthermore, the cheap availability of plastic allows for toy soldier production at increasingly exceptional rates. Additionally, the Internet allows for further expansion of the toy soldier as websites allow for like-minded collectors to come together to discover information about toyShow MoreRelatedDaily Life During World War I1606 Words   |  7 Pages Stephanie Toy Ms. Beck Honors World Cultures 19 May 2017 Daily Life in Britain World War One was a Great War involving many powers from all over the world, one of them being Great Britain. It is no surprise that when war breaks out, the daily lives of everyone change. During the period of war, daily life in England was a little bit different than daily life before the time of war. The daily life of the family, the daily life of soldiers, and the daily life of children were all affected by the outbreakRead MoreThe Drummer Boy868 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿KEY: Short Story Analysis of The Drummer Boy of Shiloh Title: â€Å"The Drummer Boy of Shiloh† Author: Ray Bradbury Famous for writing science fiction, especially for the novel Fahrenheit 451. 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According to Chang’s account and analysis of the events that transpired, Japanese attitudes towards gender played a key role in the soldiers’ violent, cold-blooded actions, and Chinese attitudes towards gender kept the victims silent. In the late 1890s, tensionsRead MoreThe Innovation Of War : War1180 Words   |  5 PagesThe Innovation of War War is an unforgettable event in our history, but through them, they can create some great opportunities to better the future. There have been some remarkable inventions as a byproduct of war, and that has in turn revolutionized our way of life in communication, transportation, and medicine. Many of your everyday items were develop during a time of war, mainly because war has always been an accelerator for technological advancements. It brings the research phase to the utilizationRead MoreThe Globalisation Of Pop Culture And The Globalization Of Popular Culture793 Words   |  4 Pageswith â€Å"war of words [causing] rising tension† between the United States of America and North Korea due to boasts and threats of weapons that may lead to a nuclear war–this has influenced Futura to create a comical piece, unofficially titled by one of his Instagram followers: â€Å"Boys and their toys† (Petricic, 2017). Moreover, this piece plays on the theme of childish antics as we see two boys–with their heads replaced by political leaders, Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump–fighting with green toy soldiersRead MoreSex, Prostitution, And The Production Of Sex Toys Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesSex work, consisting of prostitution and the production of sex toys, has been implemented in the United States since the 18th century. Through red-light districts, street prostitution, escort or out-call prostitution, brothel prostitution, and child prostitution, prostitution still thrives in the United States despite legality. Sex toys has become increasingly more available on shelves but still primarily stay in the e-commerce realm. Sex work has struggled to stay in the United States becauseRead MoreChickamauga. This essay is about Ambrose Bierces dark short story, Chickamauga.1398 Words   |  6 Pageshorrifically traumatic series of events. His story is relayed in the third person omniscient perspective through the eyes of the child as well as an elder. It takes place during the Civil War in a southern town. Chickamauga begins with the boys entrance into the forest where he goes to play solitarily. With him he carries a toy wooden sword with which he battles imaginary enemies to their deaths. Lost in his adventure the boy grows tired and falls asleep between two rocks deep in the woods. While he is aRead MoreThe Affect of War on Ones Innocence1099 Words   |  5 PagesThe simple definition of war is a state of armed competition, conflict, or hostility between different nations or groups; however war differs drastically in the eyes of naive children or experienced soldiers. Whether one is a young boy or a soldier, war is never as easy to understand as the definition. comprehend. There will inevitably be an event or circumstance where one is befuddled by the horror of war. For a young boy, it may occur when war first breaks out in his country, such as in â€Å"Song ofRead MoreThe Importance Of A Simple War Game On A Grid950 Words   |  4 PagesDescription: In this project, I paired up with Ryan Thomson to design a game with about 15-minute time limit. The prompt was to make a simple war game on a grid. At the beginning, we just came up with some simple rule to begin the game because we knew that we will improve the rule after we played the game. One of the most important that I learned during I was working on this project is that playable games take time and testing. It is okay to start with a simple game idea, and we will improve on itRead MoreAcross the Universe Army Draft Scene Close Analysis1694 Words   |  7 Pages(Taymor, 2007) is a tribute to the great 1960s band, The Beatles. It showcases, amidst an often wandering narrative, the most important songs of the band’s career. The story follows Jude’s relationship with Lucy, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam war. When Lucy’s brother Max (also Jude’s best friend) is drafted, Max is seen to ascend the stairs of t he US Army building as the first bars of the song ‘I Want You’ enter the sound-scape. The first shot we see of this sequence is a low angle which

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The American Civil War Essay - 1255 Words

The American Civil War Works Cited Not Included Horrific! The American Civil War, also known as the War Between States and the War Of Secession, was an extremely gruesome and bloody war (World Book 614). The war, which started on April 12, 1861, when the southern troops fired on Fort Sumter, and ended 4 years later, took more American lives than any other war in history (614). This war was between a divided union in whish the southern states were trying to preserve slavery while the northern states were dedicated to a more modern way of life and were trying to end slavery (614). This war was fought in the minds of great men like Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee and the end of the war was the beginning of a slavery free nation.†¦show more content†¦On December 20, 1860, President Jamison held up a document at St. Andrews Hall in South Carolina and declared, ? I proclaim the state of South Carolina and independent commonwealth.? The citizens of South Carolina rejoiced (Davis, 27). The citizens of the South as a whol e also rejoiced knowing that secession was possible and that they may soon have their own nation. One after another, the Southern ?slave? states seceded, 15 states in all (World Book, 615). Over the years the Civil War has been the subject of numerous novels, histories, plays, poems, paintings, sculptures, songs, movies, and television programs. Some of the Civil War figures are among the nations most beloved heroes. Abraham Lincoln was among these heroes and was respected throughout the world (World Book, 614). There were three main causes for the America Civil War: slavery, disputes over state?s rights, and the want to modernize in the North while the South wanted to live in their old, trustworthy ways. To be more specific, slavery was a root cause of the Civil War because the South was dependent on slavery to keep their economic status while the North was more dependent on a Protestant work ethic and looked down upon slavery. This according to the historians who have long debated the causes of the war (World Book, 615). The Northern states worked to develop and depend on a Protestant work ethic. Ministers taught gospels of hard work, thrift, and self-discipline.Show MoreRelatedAmerican War And The American Civil War1551 Words   |  7 Pageswhich then caused the Southern states of America to decide to leave the American Union and create their own Southern Confederacy. This tore our nation apart. The American Civil War had begun and the very people that were once neighbors had each other’s blood on their hands. Many American lives had been lost. The American lives lost in the Civil War even exceeded the number of American lives lost during World War I and World War II. W e were divided. The North wanted to reunite with the southern statesRead MoreThe War Of The American Civil War1376 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Civil War was arguably the most important war in the history of the country. 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While the Confederacy of the United States depended on slave labor for their economy in regardsRead MoreThe War Of The American Civil War1618 Words   |  7 Pages A Civil War is a battle between the same citizens in a country. The American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 to determine the independence for the Confederacy or the survival of the Union. By the time Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1861, in the mist of 34 states, the constant disagreement caused seven Southern slave states to their independence from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America. The Confederacy, generally known as the South, grew to include elevenRead MoreThe War Of The American Civil War1324 Words   |  6 PagesThere were many events that led to the cause of one of America’s most devastating war, the American Civil War. The American Civil War was an unfortunate war that cost more than the lives of six hundred thousand people. Events such as the Missouri Compromise, Kansas Nebraska Act, Dred Scott Decision, and the Election of Abraham Lincoln resulted in the four yearlong battles between the Northern and Southern states due to social and economic differences on the idea of slavery. In the 19th century,Read MoreThe American Civil War1418 Words   |  6 PagesGuns fired, smoke lingering in the air, people dying. The American Civil War had a huge impact on the United States. Two compromises took place before the start of the Civil War. These compromises include the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. The Missouri Compromise dealt with the crisis in 1819 over Missouri entering the Union as a slave state. The compromise was â€Å"the first major crisis over slavery, and it shattered a tacit agreement between the two regions that had been in placeRead MoreThe War Of The American Civil War Essay1472 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Civil War lasted from April 12, 1861 to May 9, 1865. It was the bloodiest war in American history, killing approximately 620,000 soldiers in total. The War was fought and won by the North, ensuring that all the United States would stay united and slavery would be illegal in The United States. However, history is one of the m ost complicated things in the world. It’s also one of the most important things in the world because history is what made the present possible. Historians have debatedRead MoreThe War Of The American Civil War1439 Words   |  6 PagesWhen the American Civil War began in the spring of 1861, those flocking to enlistment stations in states both north and south chiefly defined their cause as one of preservation. From Maine to Minnesota, young men joined up to preserve the Union. From Virginia to Texas, their future foes on the battlefield enlisted to preserve a social order, a social order at its core built on the institution of slavery and racial superiority . Secession had not been framed by prominent Southerners like Robert ToombsRead MoreThe War Of The American Civil War960 Words   |  4 Pagesslavery even if it meant war caused peace in this nation. Slavery was the vital cause of the American Civil War. The north and the south both had their differences on how to run the country. People in the North believed in unity and that slavery should not exist because â€Å"all men are created equally.† On the other hand, the South believed in continuing slavery. People tried to talk it out and come to a middle ground after both sides compromising, however that didn’t work and caused war. Ideological differencesRead MoreThe War Of The American Civil War856 Words   |  4 PagesSlavery may have been established as the catalyst of the American Civil War, but the beginning of the dispute began in the time of the Revolution with a weak decentralized government under the Articles of Confederation. Later gained momentum as territorial expansion set Americans against each other on debating whether the new states should be slave states or free states, it questioned the power of the Federal government regarding state rights, and brought about instability in the unity of the United

Night World Soulmate Chapter 7 Free Essays

string(38) " the tip of the tooth with her thumb\." It was like being struck by lightning. Hannah felt the current through her body, but it was her mind that was most affected. I know you! It was as if she had been standing in a dark landscape, lost and blind, when suddenly a brilliant flash illuminated everything, allowing her to see farther than she’d ever seen before. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Soulmate Chapter 7 or any similar topic only for you Order Now She was trembling violently, pitching forward even as he fell toward her. Electricity was running through every nerve in her body and she was shaking and shaking, overcome by waves of the purest emotion she’d ever felt. Fury. â€Å"You were supposed to be there!† She got out in a choked gasp. â€Å"Where were you?† You were supposed to be with me-for so long! You’re part of me, the part I’ve always vaguely missed. You were supposed to be around, helping out, picking me up when I fell down. Watching my back, listening to my stories. Understanding things that I wouldn’t want to tell other people. Loving me when I’m stupid. Giving me something to take care of and be good to, the way the Goddess meant women to do. Hannah- It was the closest thing to a mental gasp Hannah could imagine, and with it she realized that somehow they were directly connected now. He could hear her thoughts, just as she could hear his. Good! she thought, not wasting time to marvel over this. Her mind was raging on. You were my flying companion! My playmate! You were my other half of the mysteries! We were supposed to be sacred to each other-and you haven’t been there! This last thought she sent squarely toward him. And she felt it hit him, and felt his reaction. â€Å"I’ve tried!† He was horrified†¦ guilt-stricken. But then, Hannah could sense that this was pretty much the usual state for him, so it didn’t affect him quite as much as it might have someone else. And beneath the horror was an astonishment and burgeoning joy that sent a different kind of tingle through her. â€Å"You do know me, don’t you?† he said quietly. He pushed her back to look at her, as if he still couldn’t believe it. â€Å"You remember†¦ Hannah, how much do you remember?† Hannah was looking at him, studying him†¦. Yes, I know that bone structure. And the eyes, especially the eyes. It was like an adopted child discovering a brother or sister and seeing familiar features in an unfamiliar face, tracing each one with wonder and recognition. â€Å"I remember†¦ that we were meant for each other. That we’re†-she came up with the word slowly-‘ ‘soulmates.† â€Å"Yes,† he whispered. Awe was softening his features, changing his eyes. The desperate sadness that seemed so much a part of them was lightening. â€Å"Soulmates. We were destined for each other. We should have been together down the ages.† They were supporting each other now, Hannah kneeling on the porch and Thierry holding her with one knee on a step. Their faces were inches apart. Hannah found herself watching his mouth. â€Å"So what happened?† she whispered. In the same tone, without moving back, he whispered, â€Å"I screwed up.† â€Å"Oh.† Her initial fury had faded. She could feel him, feel his emotions, sense his thoughts. He was as anguished at their separation as she was. He wanted her. He loved her†¦ adored her. He thought of her the way poets think of the moon and the stars-in ridiculous hyperbole. He actually saw her surrounded by a sort of silvery halo. Which was completely silly, but if he wanted to think of her that way-well, Hannah wouldn’t object. It made her want to be very gentle with him. And right now she could feel his warm breath. If she leaned forward just an inch her top lip would touch his bottom lip. Hannah leaned forward. â€Å"Wait-† he said. That was a mistake, saying it out loud. It moved his lips against hers, turning it from a touch into a kiss. And then, for a while, neither of them could resist. They needed each other so desperately, and the kiss was warm and sweet. Hannah was flooded with love and comfort and joy. This was meant to be. Hannah was dizzy but still capable of thought. I knew life had something wonderful and mysterious to give me. Something I could sense but not see, something that was always just out of reach. And here it is. I’m one of the lucky ones-I’ve found it. Thierry wasn’t as articulate. All she could hear him think was, Yes. Hannah had never been so filled with gratitude. Love spilled from her and into Thierry and back again. The more she gave, the more she got back. It was a cycle, taking them higher and higher. Like flying, Hannah thought. She wasn’t dizzy anymore. She was strangely dear and calm, as if she were standing on a mountaintop. Infinite tenderness †¦ infinite belonging. It was so good it hurt. And it made her want to give more. She knew what she wanted. It was what she’d tried to give him the first time, when she knew he would die without her. She’d wanted to give him what all women could give. Life. She was only a girl now, not ready for the responsibilities that would come with making new life from her body. But she could give Thierry life another way. She pulled back to look at him, to see bruised dark eyes filled with aching tenderness. Then she touched his mouth with her fingertips. He kissed them. Hannah ignored the kiss and poked a finger in. Shock flared in Thierry’s eyes. There. That was it. The long canine tooth, just barely sharp. Not yet the tooth of a predator, of a fox or a lynx or wolf. She ran her finger against it. The shock turned to something else. A glazed look. Need mixed with pure terror. Thierry whispered, â€Å"Don’t-Hannah, please. You don’t know-â€Å" Hannah tested the tip of the tooth with her thumb. You read "Night World : Soulmate Chapter 7" in category "Essay examples" Yes, it was sharper now. Longer, more delicate. It would look like the tooth of an arctic fox in her palm-milky-white, translucent, elegantly curved. Thierry’s chest was heaving. â€Å"Please stop. I-I can’t-â€Å" Hannah was enthralled. I don’t know why people are afraid of vampires, she thought. A human could tease or torture a vampire this way, driving him insane-if she were cruel. Or she could choose to be kind. Very gently, Hannah reached with her other hand. She touched the back of Thierry’s neck, bringing just the slightest pressure to bear. But he was so obedient to her touch-it was easy to guide his mouth to her throat. Hannah†¦ She could feel him trembling. Don’t be afraid, she told him silently. And she pulled him closer. He grabbed her shoulders to push her away-and then just hung on. Clinging desperately, helplessly. Kissing her neck over and over. She felt his control break†¦ and then felt the sharpness of teeth. It wasn’t like pain. It was like the tenderness, a hurting that was good. And then†¦ devastating bliss. Not a physical feeling. It was emotional. They were completely together, and light poured through them. How many lives together have we missed? How many times have I had to say, Maybe in the next life? How did we ever manage to come apart? It was as if her question went searching through both their minds, soaring and diving, looking for an answer on its own. And Thierry didn’t put up any resistance. She knew that he couldn’t; he was as caught up as she was in what was happening between them, as overwhelmed. There was nothing to stop her from finding the answer. This revelation didn’t come all in one blinding illumination. Instead it came in small flashes, each almost too brief to understand. Flash. Thierry’s face above her. Not the gentle face she had seen by the porch. A savage face with an animal light in the eyes. A snarling mouth †¦ and teeth red with blood. No †¦ Flash. Pain. Teeth that tore her throat. The feel of her blood spilling warm over her neck. Darkness coming. Oh, God, no†¦ Flash. A different face. A woman with black hair and eyes full of concern. â€Å"Don’t you know? He’s evil. How many times does he have to kill you before you realize that?† No, no, no, no†¦ But saying no didn’t change anything. It was the truth. She was seeing her own memories-seeing things that had really happened. She knew that. He’d killed her. Hannah, no- It was a cry of anguish. Hannah wrenched herself away. She could see the shock in Thierry’s eyes, she could feel him shaking. â€Å"You really did it,† she whispered. â€Å"Hannah-â€Å" â€Å"That’s why you woke me up from the hypnosis! You didn’t want me to remember! You knew I’d find out the truth!† Hannah was beside herself with grief and anger. If she hadn’t trusted him, if everything hadn’t been so perfect, she wouldn’t have felt so betrayed. As it was, it was the greatest betrayal of her life-of all her lives. It had all been a lie-everything she’d just been feeling. The togetherness, the love, the joy †¦ all false. â€Å"Hannah, that wasn’t the reason†¦.† â€Å"You’re evil! You’re a killer!† She told me, Hannah thought. The woman with black hair; she told me the truth. Why didn’t I remember her? Why didn’t I listen this time? She could remember other things now, other things the woman had said. â€Å"He’s unbelievably cunning†¦ he’ll try to trick you. He’ll try to use mind control †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mind control. Influencing her. He’d admitted that. And what she’d been feeling tonight was some sort of trick. He’d managed to play on her emotions †¦ God, he’d even gotten her to offer him her blood. She’d let him bite her, drink from her like some parasite†¦. â€Å"I hate you,† she whispered. She saw how that hurt him; he flinched and looked away, stricken. Then he gripped her shoulders again, his voice soft. â€Å"Hannah, I wanted to explain to you. Please. You don’t understand everything †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yes, I do! I do! I remember everything! And I understand what you really are.† Her voice was as quiet as his, but much more intense. She shrugged her shoulders and shifted backward to get away from him. She didn’t want to feel his hands on her. He looked jolted. Unbelieving. â€Å"You remember . .. everything?† â€Å"Everything.† Hannah was proud and cold now. â€Å"So you can just go away, because whatever you’ve got planned won’t work. Whatever-tricks-you were going to use†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She shook her head. â€Å"Just go.† For just a second, a strange expression crossed Thierry’s face. An expression so tragic and lonely that Hannah’s throat closed. But she couldn’t let herself soften. She couldn’t give him a chance to trick her again. â€Å"Just stay away from me,† she said. With all the confusion and turmoil inside her, that was the only thing she could keep clear in her mind. â€Å"I never want to see you again.† He had gotten control of himself. He looked shell-shocked but his eyes were steady. â€Å"I’ve never wanted to hurt you,† he said quietly. â€Å"And all I want to do now is protect you. But if that’s what you want, I’ll go away.† How could he claim he’d never wanted to hurt her? Didn’t killing her count? â€Å"That is what I want. And I don’t need your protection.† â€Å"You have it anyway,† he said. And then he moved, faster than she could ever hope to move, almost faster than thought. In an instant, he was close to her. His fingers touched her left cheek, light as a moth’s wings. And then he was taking her hand, slipping something on her finger. â€Å"Wear this,† he said, no louder than a breath. â€Å"It has spells to protect you. And even without the spells, there aren’t many Night People who’ll harm you if they see it.† Hannah opened her mouth to say she wasn’t afraid of any Night People except him, but he was still speaking. â€Å"Try not to go out alone, especially at night.† And then he was gone. Like that. He was off her porch and out somewhere in the darkness, not even a shadow, just gone. If she hadn’t had a fleeting impression of movement toward the prairie, she would have thought he had the ability to become invisible at a moment’s notice. And her heart was pounding, hurting, filling her throat so she couldn’t breathe. Why had he touched her cheek? Most people didn’t touch the birthmark; they treated it like a bruise that might still hurt. But his fingers hadn’t avoided it. The caress had been gentle, almost sad, but not frightened. And why was she still standing here, staring into the darkness as if she expected him to reappear? Go inside, idiot. Hannah turned and fumbled with the back door, pulling at the knob as if she’d never opened it before. She shut the door and locked it, and again she found’ herself as clumsy as if she’d never worked a lock or seen this one in her life. She was beyond screaming or crying, in a state of shock that was almost dreamlike. The house was too bright. The dock on the kitchen wall was too loud. She had the distracted feeling that it wasn’t either night or daytime. It was like coming out of a theater and being surprised to find that it’s still light outside. She felt that this couldn’t be the same house she’d left an hour ago. She wasn’t the same person who had left. Everything around her seemed like some carefully staged movie set that was supposed to be real, but wasn’t, and only she could tell the difference. I feel like a stranger here, she thought, putting one hand to her neck where she could just detect two little puncture marks. Oh, God, how am I ever going to know what’s real again? But I should be happy; I should be grateful. I probably just saved my own life out there. I was alone with a vicious, evil, murderous monster, and†¦ Somehow the thought died away. She couldn’t be happy and she didn’t want to think about how evil Thierry was. She felt hollow and aching. It wasn’t until she stumbled into her own bedroom that she remembered to look down at her right hand. On the fourth finger was a ring. It was made of gold and either white gold or silver. It was shaped like a rose, with the stem twining around the finger and back on itself in an intricate knot. The blossom was inset with tiny stones-black transparent stones. Black diamonds? Hannah wondered. It was beautiful. The craftsmanship was exquisite. Every delicate leaf and tiny thorn was perfect. But a black flower? It’s a symbol of the Night World, her mind told her. A symbol of people who’ve been made into vampires. It was the cool wind voice back again. At least she understood what it was saying this time-the last time, when it had given her advice about silver and wolves, she had been completely confused. Thierry wanted her to wear the ring; he claimed it would protect her. But knowing him, it was probably another trick. If it had any spells on it, they were probably spells to help him control her mind. It took nearly an hour to get the ring off. Hannah used soap and butter and Vaseline, pulling and twisting until her finger was red, aching, and swollen. She used a dental pick from her fossil-collecting kit to try to pry the coils of the stem apart. Nothing worked, until at last the pick slipped and blood welled up from a shallow cut. When the blood touched the ring it seemed to loosen, and Hannah quickly wrenched it off. Then she stood panting. The struggle with the little band of metal had left her exhausted and unable to focus on anything else. She threw the ring in her bedroom wastebasket and stumbled toward bed. I’m tired†¦ I’m so tired. I’ll think about everything tomorrow, try to sort out my life. But for now†¦ please just let me sleep. She could feel her body vibrating with adrenaline after she lay in bed, and she was afraid that sleep wouldn’t come. But tense as she was, her mind was too foggy to stay awake. She turned over once and let go of consciousness. Hannah Snow fell asleep. Hana of the Three Rivers opened her eyes. Cold and desolate, Hana stood by the rushing river and felt the wind blow through her. So alone. That was when Arno burst out of the bushes on the riverbank. There were several hunters with him and they all had spears. They charged after the stranger at full speed. Hana screamed a warning, but she knew he didn’t have a chance. She could hear a few minutes of chaos far away in the dark. And then she saw the stranger being driven back, surrounded by Arno’s hunters. â€Å"Arno-don’t hurt him! Please!† Hana was speaking desperately, trying to block the men’s way back. â€Å"Don’t you see? He could have hurt me and he didn’t. He isn’t a demon! He can’t help being the way he is!† Arno shouldered her aside. â€Å"Don’t think you’re going to get away without being punished, either.† Hana followed them up to the cave, her stomach churning with fear. By the time everyone who’d been awakened by Arno’s hunters understood what was happening, the sky outside had turned gray. It was almost dawn. â€Å"You said we should wait and see if the Earth Goddess would tell you something about the demon while you slept,† Arno said to Old Mother. â€Å"Has she?† Old Mother glanced at Hana sorrowfully, then back at Arno. She shook her head. Then she started to speak, but Arno was already talking loudly. â€Å"Then let’s kill him and get it over with. Take him outside.† â€Å"No!† Hana screamed. It didn’t do any good. She was caught and held back in strong hands. The stranger gave her one look as he was driven outside in a circle of spears. That was when the real horror began. Because of something that Hana had never imagined, something she was sure even the shamans had never heard of. The stranger was a creature that wouldn’t die. Arno was the first to jab with his spear. The whitish-gray flint spearhead went into the stranger’s side, drawing blood. Hana saw it; she had run out of the cave, still trying to find a way to stop this. She also saw the blood stop flowing as the wound in the boy’s side closed. There were gasps from all around her. Arno, looking as if he couldn’t believe his eyes, jabbed again. And watched, mouth falling open, as the second wound bled and then closed. He kept trying. Only the wounds where a spear was driven into the wooden shaft stayed open. One of the women whispered, â€Å"He is a demon.† Everyone was frightened. But nobody moved away from â€Å"the stranger. He was too dangerous to let go. And there were lots of them, and only one of him. Hana saw something happening in the faces of her clan. Something new and horrible. Fear of the unknown was changing them, making them cruel. They were turning from basically good people, people who would never torture an animal by prolonging its death, into people who would torture a man. â€Å"He may be a demon, but he still bleeds,† one of the hunters said breathlessly, after a jab. â€Å"He feels pain.†, â€Å"Get a torch,† somebody else said. â€Å"See if he burns!† And then it was terrible. Hana felt as if she were in the middle of a storm, able to see things but buffeted this way and that, unable to do anything about it. People were running. People were getting torches, stone axes, different kinds of flint knives. The dam had turned into a huge entity feeding off its own violence. It was mindless and unstoppable. Hana cast a desperate look toward the cave, where Old Mother lay confined to her pallet. There was no help from that direction. People were screaming, burning the stranger, throwing stones at him. The stranger was falling, bloody, smoke rising from his burns. He was lying on the ground, unable to fight back. But still, he didn’t die. He kept trying to crawl away. Hana was screaming herself, screaming and crying, beating at the shoulders of a hunter who pulled her back. And it went on and on. Even the young boys were brave enough now to run forward and throw stones at the stranger. And he still wouldn’t die. Hana was in a nightmare. Her throat was raw from screaming. Her vision was going gray. She couldn’t stand to watch this anymore; she couldn’t stand the smell of blood and burning flesh or the sound of blows. But there was nowhere to go. There was no way to get out. This was her life. She had to stay here and go insane†¦. How to cite Night World : Soulmate Chapter 7, Essay examples

Night World Soulmate Chapter 7 Free Essays

string(38) " the tip of the tooth with her thumb\." It was like being struck by lightning. Hannah felt the current through her body, but it was her mind that was most affected. I know you! It was as if she had been standing in a dark landscape, lost and blind, when suddenly a brilliant flash illuminated everything, allowing her to see farther than she’d ever seen before. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Soulmate Chapter 7 or any similar topic only for you Order Now She was trembling violently, pitching forward even as he fell toward her. Electricity was running through every nerve in her body and she was shaking and shaking, overcome by waves of the purest emotion she’d ever felt. Fury. â€Å"You were supposed to be there!† She got out in a choked gasp. â€Å"Where were you?† You were supposed to be with me-for so long! You’re part of me, the part I’ve always vaguely missed. You were supposed to be around, helping out, picking me up when I fell down. Watching my back, listening to my stories. Understanding things that I wouldn’t want to tell other people. Loving me when I’m stupid. Giving me something to take care of and be good to, the way the Goddess meant women to do. Hannah- It was the closest thing to a mental gasp Hannah could imagine, and with it she realized that somehow they were directly connected now. He could hear her thoughts, just as she could hear his. Good! she thought, not wasting time to marvel over this. Her mind was raging on. You were my flying companion! My playmate! You were my other half of the mysteries! We were supposed to be sacred to each other-and you haven’t been there! This last thought she sent squarely toward him. And she felt it hit him, and felt his reaction. â€Å"I’ve tried!† He was horrified†¦ guilt-stricken. But then, Hannah could sense that this was pretty much the usual state for him, so it didn’t affect him quite as much as it might have someone else. And beneath the horror was an astonishment and burgeoning joy that sent a different kind of tingle through her. â€Å"You do know me, don’t you?† he said quietly. He pushed her back to look at her, as if he still couldn’t believe it. â€Å"You remember†¦ Hannah, how much do you remember?† Hannah was looking at him, studying him†¦. Yes, I know that bone structure. And the eyes, especially the eyes. It was like an adopted child discovering a brother or sister and seeing familiar features in an unfamiliar face, tracing each one with wonder and recognition. â€Å"I remember†¦ that we were meant for each other. That we’re†-she came up with the word slowly-‘ ‘soulmates.† â€Å"Yes,† he whispered. Awe was softening his features, changing his eyes. The desperate sadness that seemed so much a part of them was lightening. â€Å"Soulmates. We were destined for each other. We should have been together down the ages.† They were supporting each other now, Hannah kneeling on the porch and Thierry holding her with one knee on a step. Their faces were inches apart. Hannah found herself watching his mouth. â€Å"So what happened?† she whispered. In the same tone, without moving back, he whispered, â€Å"I screwed up.† â€Å"Oh.† Her initial fury had faded. She could feel him, feel his emotions, sense his thoughts. He was as anguished at their separation as she was. He wanted her. He loved her†¦ adored her. He thought of her the way poets think of the moon and the stars-in ridiculous hyperbole. He actually saw her surrounded by a sort of silvery halo. Which was completely silly, but if he wanted to think of her that way-well, Hannah wouldn’t object. It made her want to be very gentle with him. And right now she could feel his warm breath. If she leaned forward just an inch her top lip would touch his bottom lip. Hannah leaned forward. â€Å"Wait-† he said. That was a mistake, saying it out loud. It moved his lips against hers, turning it from a touch into a kiss. And then, for a while, neither of them could resist. They needed each other so desperately, and the kiss was warm and sweet. Hannah was flooded with love and comfort and joy. This was meant to be. Hannah was dizzy but still capable of thought. I knew life had something wonderful and mysterious to give me. Something I could sense but not see, something that was always just out of reach. And here it is. I’m one of the lucky ones-I’ve found it. Thierry wasn’t as articulate. All she could hear him think was, Yes. Hannah had never been so filled with gratitude. Love spilled from her and into Thierry and back again. The more she gave, the more she got back. It was a cycle, taking them higher and higher. Like flying, Hannah thought. She wasn’t dizzy anymore. She was strangely dear and calm, as if she were standing on a mountaintop. Infinite tenderness †¦ infinite belonging. It was so good it hurt. And it made her want to give more. She knew what she wanted. It was what she’d tried to give him the first time, when she knew he would die without her. She’d wanted to give him what all women could give. Life. She was only a girl now, not ready for the responsibilities that would come with making new life from her body. But she could give Thierry life another way. She pulled back to look at him, to see bruised dark eyes filled with aching tenderness. Then she touched his mouth with her fingertips. He kissed them. Hannah ignored the kiss and poked a finger in. Shock flared in Thierry’s eyes. There. That was it. The long canine tooth, just barely sharp. Not yet the tooth of a predator, of a fox or a lynx or wolf. She ran her finger against it. The shock turned to something else. A glazed look. Need mixed with pure terror. Thierry whispered, â€Å"Don’t-Hannah, please. You don’t know-â€Å" Hannah tested the tip of the tooth with her thumb. You read "Night World : Soulmate Chapter 7" in category "Essay examples" Yes, it was sharper now. Longer, more delicate. It would look like the tooth of an arctic fox in her palm-milky-white, translucent, elegantly curved. Thierry’s chest was heaving. â€Å"Please stop. I-I can’t-â€Å" Hannah was enthralled. I don’t know why people are afraid of vampires, she thought. A human could tease or torture a vampire this way, driving him insane-if she were cruel. Or she could choose to be kind. Very gently, Hannah reached with her other hand. She touched the back of Thierry’s neck, bringing just the slightest pressure to bear. But he was so obedient to her touch-it was easy to guide his mouth to her throat. Hannah†¦ She could feel him trembling. Don’t be afraid, she told him silently. And she pulled him closer. He grabbed her shoulders to push her away-and then just hung on. Clinging desperately, helplessly. Kissing her neck over and over. She felt his control break†¦ and then felt the sharpness of teeth. It wasn’t like pain. It was like the tenderness, a hurting that was good. And then†¦ devastating bliss. Not a physical feeling. It was emotional. They were completely together, and light poured through them. How many lives together have we missed? How many times have I had to say, Maybe in the next life? How did we ever manage to come apart? It was as if her question went searching through both their minds, soaring and diving, looking for an answer on its own. And Thierry didn’t put up any resistance. She knew that he couldn’t; he was as caught up as she was in what was happening between them, as overwhelmed. There was nothing to stop her from finding the answer. This revelation didn’t come all in one blinding illumination. Instead it came in small flashes, each almost too brief to understand. Flash. Thierry’s face above her. Not the gentle face she had seen by the porch. A savage face with an animal light in the eyes. A snarling mouth †¦ and teeth red with blood. No †¦ Flash. Pain. Teeth that tore her throat. The feel of her blood spilling warm over her neck. Darkness coming. Oh, God, no†¦ Flash. A different face. A woman with black hair and eyes full of concern. â€Å"Don’t you know? He’s evil. How many times does he have to kill you before you realize that?† No, no, no, no†¦ But saying no didn’t change anything. It was the truth. She was seeing her own memories-seeing things that had really happened. She knew that. He’d killed her. Hannah, no- It was a cry of anguish. Hannah wrenched herself away. She could see the shock in Thierry’s eyes, she could feel him shaking. â€Å"You really did it,† she whispered. â€Å"Hannah-â€Å" â€Å"That’s why you woke me up from the hypnosis! You didn’t want me to remember! You knew I’d find out the truth!† Hannah was beside herself with grief and anger. If she hadn’t trusted him, if everything hadn’t been so perfect, she wouldn’t have felt so betrayed. As it was, it was the greatest betrayal of her life-of all her lives. It had all been a lie-everything she’d just been feeling. The togetherness, the love, the joy †¦ all false. â€Å"Hannah, that wasn’t the reason†¦.† â€Å"You’re evil! You’re a killer!† She told me, Hannah thought. The woman with black hair; she told me the truth. Why didn’t I remember her? Why didn’t I listen this time? She could remember other things now, other things the woman had said. â€Å"He’s unbelievably cunning†¦ he’ll try to trick you. He’ll try to use mind control †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mind control. Influencing her. He’d admitted that. And what she’d been feeling tonight was some sort of trick. He’d managed to play on her emotions †¦ God, he’d even gotten her to offer him her blood. She’d let him bite her, drink from her like some parasite†¦. â€Å"I hate you,† she whispered. She saw how that hurt him; he flinched and looked away, stricken. Then he gripped her shoulders again, his voice soft. â€Å"Hannah, I wanted to explain to you. Please. You don’t understand everything †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yes, I do! I do! I remember everything! And I understand what you really are.† Her voice was as quiet as his, but much more intense. She shrugged her shoulders and shifted backward to get away from him. She didn’t want to feel his hands on her. He looked jolted. Unbelieving. â€Å"You remember . .. everything?† â€Å"Everything.† Hannah was proud and cold now. â€Å"So you can just go away, because whatever you’ve got planned won’t work. Whatever-tricks-you were going to use†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She shook her head. â€Å"Just go.† For just a second, a strange expression crossed Thierry’s face. An expression so tragic and lonely that Hannah’s throat closed. But she couldn’t let herself soften. She couldn’t give him a chance to trick her again. â€Å"Just stay away from me,† she said. With all the confusion and turmoil inside her, that was the only thing she could keep clear in her mind. â€Å"I never want to see you again.† He had gotten control of himself. He looked shell-shocked but his eyes were steady. â€Å"I’ve never wanted to hurt you,† he said quietly. â€Å"And all I want to do now is protect you. But if that’s what you want, I’ll go away.† How could he claim he’d never wanted to hurt her? Didn’t killing her count? â€Å"That is what I want. And I don’t need your protection.† â€Å"You have it anyway,† he said. And then he moved, faster than she could ever hope to move, almost faster than thought. In an instant, he was close to her. His fingers touched her left cheek, light as a moth’s wings. And then he was taking her hand, slipping something on her finger. â€Å"Wear this,† he said, no louder than a breath. â€Å"It has spells to protect you. And even without the spells, there aren’t many Night People who’ll harm you if they see it.† Hannah opened her mouth to say she wasn’t afraid of any Night People except him, but he was still speaking. â€Å"Try not to go out alone, especially at night.† And then he was gone. Like that. He was off her porch and out somewhere in the darkness, not even a shadow, just gone. If she hadn’t had a fleeting impression of movement toward the prairie, she would have thought he had the ability to become invisible at a moment’s notice. And her heart was pounding, hurting, filling her throat so she couldn’t breathe. Why had he touched her cheek? Most people didn’t touch the birthmark; they treated it like a bruise that might still hurt. But his fingers hadn’t avoided it. The caress had been gentle, almost sad, but not frightened. And why was she still standing here, staring into the darkness as if she expected him to reappear? Go inside, idiot. Hannah turned and fumbled with the back door, pulling at the knob as if she’d never opened it before. She shut the door and locked it, and again she found’ herself as clumsy as if she’d never worked a lock or seen this one in her life. She was beyond screaming or crying, in a state of shock that was almost dreamlike. The house was too bright. The dock on the kitchen wall was too loud. She had the distracted feeling that it wasn’t either night or daytime. It was like coming out of a theater and being surprised to find that it’s still light outside. She felt that this couldn’t be the same house she’d left an hour ago. She wasn’t the same person who had left. Everything around her seemed like some carefully staged movie set that was supposed to be real, but wasn’t, and only she could tell the difference. I feel like a stranger here, she thought, putting one hand to her neck where she could just detect two little puncture marks. Oh, God, how am I ever going to know what’s real again? But I should be happy; I should be grateful. I probably just saved my own life out there. I was alone with a vicious, evil, murderous monster, and†¦ Somehow the thought died away. She couldn’t be happy and she didn’t want to think about how evil Thierry was. She felt hollow and aching. It wasn’t until she stumbled into her own bedroom that she remembered to look down at her right hand. On the fourth finger was a ring. It was made of gold and either white gold or silver. It was shaped like a rose, with the stem twining around the finger and back on itself in an intricate knot. The blossom was inset with tiny stones-black transparent stones. Black diamonds? Hannah wondered. It was beautiful. The craftsmanship was exquisite. Every delicate leaf and tiny thorn was perfect. But a black flower? It’s a symbol of the Night World, her mind told her. A symbol of people who’ve been made into vampires. It was the cool wind voice back again. At least she understood what it was saying this time-the last time, when it had given her advice about silver and wolves, she had been completely confused. Thierry wanted her to wear the ring; he claimed it would protect her. But knowing him, it was probably another trick. If it had any spells on it, they were probably spells to help him control her mind. It took nearly an hour to get the ring off. Hannah used soap and butter and Vaseline, pulling and twisting until her finger was red, aching, and swollen. She used a dental pick from her fossil-collecting kit to try to pry the coils of the stem apart. Nothing worked, until at last the pick slipped and blood welled up from a shallow cut. When the blood touched the ring it seemed to loosen, and Hannah quickly wrenched it off. Then she stood panting. The struggle with the little band of metal had left her exhausted and unable to focus on anything else. She threw the ring in her bedroom wastebasket and stumbled toward bed. I’m tired†¦ I’m so tired. I’ll think about everything tomorrow, try to sort out my life. But for now†¦ please just let me sleep. She could feel her body vibrating with adrenaline after she lay in bed, and she was afraid that sleep wouldn’t come. But tense as she was, her mind was too foggy to stay awake. She turned over once and let go of consciousness. Hannah Snow fell asleep. Hana of the Three Rivers opened her eyes. Cold and desolate, Hana stood by the rushing river and felt the wind blow through her. So alone. That was when Arno burst out of the bushes on the riverbank. There were several hunters with him and they all had spears. They charged after the stranger at full speed. Hana screamed a warning, but she knew he didn’t have a chance. She could hear a few minutes of chaos far away in the dark. And then she saw the stranger being driven back, surrounded by Arno’s hunters. â€Å"Arno-don’t hurt him! Please!† Hana was speaking desperately, trying to block the men’s way back. â€Å"Don’t you see? He could have hurt me and he didn’t. He isn’t a demon! He can’t help being the way he is!† Arno shouldered her aside. â€Å"Don’t think you’re going to get away without being punished, either.† Hana followed them up to the cave, her stomach churning with fear. By the time everyone who’d been awakened by Arno’s hunters understood what was happening, the sky outside had turned gray. It was almost dawn. â€Å"You said we should wait and see if the Earth Goddess would tell you something about the demon while you slept,† Arno said to Old Mother. â€Å"Has she?† Old Mother glanced at Hana sorrowfully, then back at Arno. She shook her head. Then she started to speak, but Arno was already talking loudly. â€Å"Then let’s kill him and get it over with. Take him outside.† â€Å"No!† Hana screamed. It didn’t do any good. She was caught and held back in strong hands. The stranger gave her one look as he was driven outside in a circle of spears. That was when the real horror began. Because of something that Hana had never imagined, something she was sure even the shamans had never heard of. The stranger was a creature that wouldn’t die. Arno was the first to jab with his spear. The whitish-gray flint spearhead went into the stranger’s side, drawing blood. Hana saw it; she had run out of the cave, still trying to find a way to stop this. She also saw the blood stop flowing as the wound in the boy’s side closed. There were gasps from all around her. Arno, looking as if he couldn’t believe his eyes, jabbed again. And watched, mouth falling open, as the second wound bled and then closed. He kept trying. Only the wounds where a spear was driven into the wooden shaft stayed open. One of the women whispered, â€Å"He is a demon.† Everyone was frightened. But nobody moved away from â€Å"the stranger. He was too dangerous to let go. And there were lots of them, and only one of him. Hana saw something happening in the faces of her clan. Something new and horrible. Fear of the unknown was changing them, making them cruel. They were turning from basically good people, people who would never torture an animal by prolonging its death, into people who would torture a man. â€Å"He may be a demon, but he still bleeds,† one of the hunters said breathlessly, after a jab. â€Å"He feels pain.†, â€Å"Get a torch,† somebody else said. â€Å"See if he burns!† And then it was terrible. Hana felt as if she were in the middle of a storm, able to see things but buffeted this way and that, unable to do anything about it. People were running. People were getting torches, stone axes, different kinds of flint knives. The dam had turned into a huge entity feeding off its own violence. It was mindless and unstoppable. Hana cast a desperate look toward the cave, where Old Mother lay confined to her pallet. There was no help from that direction. People were screaming, burning the stranger, throwing stones at him. The stranger was falling, bloody, smoke rising from his burns. He was lying on the ground, unable to fight back. But still, he didn’t die. He kept trying to crawl away. Hana was screaming herself, screaming and crying, beating at the shoulders of a hunter who pulled her back. And it went on and on. Even the young boys were brave enough now to run forward and throw stones at the stranger. And he still wouldn’t die. Hana was in a nightmare. Her throat was raw from screaming. Her vision was going gray. She couldn’t stand to watch this anymore; she couldn’t stand the smell of blood and burning flesh or the sound of blows. But there was nowhere to go. There was no way to get out. This was her life. She had to stay here and go insane†¦. How to cite Night World : Soulmate Chapter 7, Essay examples