VANESSA MARTINEZ
Bio
I am a single and disabled mom of two awesome young men and an amazing Chihuahua, Pebbles. I love and enjoy writing and am currently in the process of writing a book. I hope that one day I will be able to share my words with the world.
Stories (20/0)
Excalibur vs. The Wolves
Retired police officer, Ivan Rogan, owns and lives alone on his private ranch. There’s nothing or no one for miles, just him and the few animals he has left. All of which include his best friend Loki, a Bullmastiff, his two horses, a few chickens, 15 cows, 12 sheep, and one very angry bull named Excalibur. This bull thinks he is the boss of the ranch and always gives Ivan and Loki a hard time when it’s time to wrangle up the cows. Excalibur somehow always ends up with the cows and doesn’t like being kept in his pin. Excalibur challenges anyone or anything that comes near him. Ivan has had him since he was just a calf. There are times that Ivan is tempted to sell the bull, but then he remembers how much his late wife, Sylvia loved it. She made sure to wake up early every morning to spend extra time with him. He would even let Sylvia brush him. He has never allowed Ivan to do that. The old bull seemed happy then, but that all changed the day Sylvia had a heart attack and passed away. Then everything just seemed to go with her. Her flower garden that she loved so much died. Some of the animals even passed away like clockwork right after her. And Excalibur seemed to have gotten angry and distant. If that is even possible for a bull to know the loss of a person. They had a bond that Ivan had never seen between an animal of this kind and a human. But they did. And now it seems a piece of the bull died along with her. It’s been a year since she has passed, but she has definitely not been forgotten. Loki sometimes walks over to her favorite chair and lays his head on it and whimpers. She was the kindest, sweetest, most loving person to both humans and animals alike. She was loved deeply, and it shows even more so now that she isn’t here.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Fiction
The Marigold Killer
The news plays on the tv in the background. “The body of 23-year-old college student, Sarah Saunders was discovered yesterday evening by the local bar owner, Daniel Burrows behind a dumpster on 34th Street and McDowell Ave. A golden Marigold flower was placed on the victim, the same as with all the others. No arrests have been made at this time and little details are being released. There has been some speculation of a possible serial killer in our area. Police are advising all-woman between the ages of 18 to 29 to please be aware of your surroundings. This is Stacy Martinez with channel 15 news, stay tuned for more on this story as the details unfold.”
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Fiction
An Unlikely Hero
What a beautiful day to go to the beach. I love the beach; it is so calm and peaceful. Granted it’s a bit colder than usual since it is the middle of fall, but I still enjoy going to clear my mind. This time of the year there aren’t many tourists and even the locals don’t come to the beach as much right now. It’s a little too cold to be in the water, but despite that, there are still some people that like to go out on their boats to fish and a couple of surfers here and there. When I’m not busy, I like to go to just sit and watch all of the sea life in the water and the waves crashing against the rocks. I remember a few years ago, I was sitting and watching the water when I saw a big shark in the distance. It was early in the morning and I’m pretty sure there wasn’t anyone out yet. But I saw it clear as day, to me it was huge and seemed too close to the shoreline. I wasn’t sure why it was so close, so I decided to take a look. It seemed to be swimming sporadically and looked distressed. I got as close as I could into the water but stayed far enough to where it couldn’t reach me if it tried. I could see movement up ahead in the water, I was scared but went in deeper. It seemed the shark had just had babies and one of her babies had gotten stuck in an old fishing net. I looked around for help, but no one was around. So, I dove in deeper to try to help it. As I reached the baby shark, I saw the momma swim right next to me. I froze in fear as her eyes met mine. She had a large gash over her left eye but oddly enough she just kept swimming around us. I decided the baby’s life was worth the risk and continued trying to save it. I tugged at the net until the baby was able to break free. As it did, I quickly swam up for air. I saw the momma shark swim to her baby she then poked her head up and looked at me as if to say, thank you. I ran home to tell my mom what happened, sadly, she didn’t believe me and said that it was probably a dolphin. I know the truth and that was no dolphin.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Fiction
The Calming
There are so many things out there that all claim the same thing, if you try them, they will help with easing stress and will bring out your inner peace. I’m sure that some of those things do help most people; but speaking for myself, I have tried many things to help with my stress and I am still in search of that so-called, inner peace. I remember different people giving me suggestions and telling me I should try going for long walks and to just let my mind wander as I let my body do the same. That did seem to help me for a while until the night my mind wandered a little bit too much and my body took me somewhere I was unfamiliar with. I of course was lost. Imagine walking around at night with no idea where you are because you decided to let your mind go blank and your body take over. It is both a little funny and scary, so that was pushed to the back of the list. I was also told to try those little puzzle things, not sure what they are called but I went out and bought one for myself. I don’t know about you, but my puzzle had a fly across the room function on it and it ended up finding a new home, the trash. There was also a time I decided to go a safer more Zen way, lie in bed in complete and utter silence and allow my mind to just simply drift away and relax. Well, for those of you that know about this little medical condition called tinnitus, which is something that I have, lucky me, the sitting or lying-in silence did not go well for me at all. The quiet seemed so mind-numbingly loud it instantly made me feel like ripping off my ears, screaming at the top of my lungs, and pulling all my hair out by its roots, that is what you call instant insanity. As you might assume, that too was pushed way to the back of that list of wonderful calming, stress releasing, inner peace bringing tools. Another super relaxing thing to try is going to one of those spa places and getting an awesome massage. Now doesn’t that sound so freaking relaxing? Okay, don’t get me wrong these things that I have mentioned are all positive ways to relieve stress and bring out that inner peace we all want, but, for me, not so much. So back to the massage, that is one of the most calming things to get done, if you are a normal human being and nowhere near anything like me. With me, I simply get touched on my back and begin to convulse and squeal like a pig. I am one of the most ticklish people on this entire planet and that truly sucks. So here I go back to the drawing board. That brings me to drawing, I love to draw, or shall I say loved. I found expressing oneself through that form of art was really a great stress reliever for me, that is, till the day my hand was broken. There goes that theory out the window just like those little puzzle things.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Motivation
The Secret She Kept
The phone rings, unsure if I should answer. I walk over to the end table in my living room where my phone sits, another unknown caller. Strange calls have been happening for the past 9 months. The times I answered, a deep muffled voice would whisper threats of coming for me. At times it was a recording of that night. But who, why? So many possibilities. My mind races then my phone finally stops ringing. As I turn to go into the kitchen, a ding, a voicemail. I stare at my phone as if it could hurt me. Hesitantly I grab it and listen to the message, it’s him, just as I feared. “What do you want from me?” I shout into my phone like he could hear me. I save the message as I have with every single creepy one, he has left. I can’t take this anymore! I have changed my number many times. It stops for about a week; then he somehow gets my new number, and it starts all over again. Who the hell is he? I sit at my kitchen table sipping on a cup of coffee. It’s 3 a.m. and still, I can’t sleep, all I do is think. Nowadays that’s all my mind can do. As my brain tries to recollect the events that had taken place that night 6 years ago, I accidentally spill coffee all over myself. “Shit! I have nothing clean to change into.” I exhaustedly utter. I start removing my wet pajamas that I have been wearing for 3 days straight. It was time for a shower and change anyway. I get out of the shower, grab my dirty clothes, and head for the laundry room, I realize I hadn’t bought any detergent. These days I order all my necessities online. I haven’t left my house in almost 6 years. I am what my psychiatrist calls a recluse, a shut-in. I have tried in the past to step out of my house, but everything immediately got blurry and dark, and I almost passed out. Finally, I gave up trying and accepted the fact that this was going to be my life and there wasn’t a thing I or anyone who tried could do. As I sit in front of my computer placing an order for everything I needed, I begin to think of the years before this, the time I was a very sought-after private investigator. My best friend and partner, Elvira and I, had known each other for over 30 years when we started our business together as private investigators 14 years ago. We each loved going on stakeouts together and catching all those cheating assholes. Our clients were wealthy high-class citizens from all over. They paid all expenses including travel, meals, gas, hotels, and everything for going undercover. It was not only work but once we had all proof needed for our clients, we had time for some fun at the clients’ expense. It’s what some would call, living the dream. And we were. Until that night.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Fiction
Memories of Hope
Growing up I remember looking out my window at all the kids playing outside. I would see some of their parents playing with them and I would think about how happy they all looked. I wondered if their happiness was the same when they were at home. I observed how close they seemed to be with their parents and how interactive all the moms and even some dads were with their own children. Sadness overwhelmed me when I thought of my own parents or should I say, the adults I live with as their own personal house cleaner. I wished so badly that somehow my parents would disappear and never come back and somehow a new set of parents would appear in their place. But, of course, that would never happen. It wasn’t all bad, I remember the times my grandma would come over to take care of me when she was alive. It was always enjoyable when Grandma Susie was around, she made everything so fun and always baked her famous chocolate cake. It was my favorite and granted it wasn’t famous, but for me, it was everything, one slice of that delicious chocolaty richness and all my problems would disappear. After school I knew when Grandma Susie was at my house because I could smell the chocolate cake baking from a few houses down. I really miss her and our times we shared. I wish my mom were more like my grandma; but sadly, she isn’t. I know it’s bad, and some may not even believe when I say my parents do not love me, but I know they really don’t at all. And I believe they never will.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Fiction
The Day It Caught Up To Him
Thinking back to the moment we found him, just lying there so helpless and cold. Everyone gathering around him not saying a single word. How could this have happened? Not here, not like this. We are all friends here. I really liked him, he was nice to most of us and always brought snacks with him when he came to visit. I begin to look into the eyes of everyone standing around. Someone must have seen something, someone has to know who did this. "Did anyone see who did this?" I shouted. Everyone just started to glance at everyone else. Whisper's all around. No one saw anything. Hard to believe in a rundown old barn with boards missing here and there that not a single living soul saw a thing. Something doesn't add up. "Well, if no one saw or heard anything, then I guess it's time to let grandpa know what we found." Still not a word from anyone. I begin to head up to the main house. That's where I sleep with grandpa, Anthony, Alphonso, and Qtip. As for everyone else, they all sleep in the barn or outside somewhere. It's a big farm but with so many of us, someone had to have heard something, anything. I make it to the back door of the main house and quickly run inside to let the family know what has been discovered outside. I run up the stairs barking as loudly as I can. A light goes on in grandpa's room, then Anthony's door flies open. "What's wrong? What's going on?" I continue to bark and gesture to follow; grandpa's door opens as he attempts to put on his robe. "What's all the noise?" Grandpa grumbles. Qtip storms out, "what is it? What's happening? Tell me, tell me, tell me!" Qtip as hyper as ever barks. Anthony runs back into his room then quickly runs out with his shoes on. "I think she wants us to follow her, maybe someone is outside." I run down the stairs, Qtip and Anthony quickly follow; grandpa eventually catches up. As Anthony swings open the back door to run outside he shouts. "What the hell!" It was Alphonso about to unlock the door. Alphonso shouts at the same time. As startled as I became, I ignore both and continue to bark and run past them. Alphonso seems confused but follows as he notices Anthony and Qtip running after me and grandpa trying to catch up with a shotgun in hand. As soon as I reach the old barn I run up to the body and whimper, as I sit next to him. Anthony's jaw drops as he falls to his knees, both hands on each side of his head. Alphonso runs in, "what is it?" He then sees. Grandpa finally catches up ready to shoot, he then realizes what all the commotion was about. Grandpa drops his gun to the ground; Alphonso runs over to grandpa. He is grabbing at his chest as he stumbles down. Anthony still hasn't moved from the side of the body. Qtip as hyper as she always is, is finally silent as she looks on next to Anthony. They look as confused as I did when I discovered the body. I now know they have no idea who could have done this.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Fiction
A Hearts Secret
So tired, all we do is walk I can barely keep up. I’m not sure why we always have to be quiet and why we only come out early every morning. I wish we could sleep in and stay in one place. But for some reason my mom and my boy, Lazarus, are always scared. Everything is broken, dirty, and dark, but no one tells me why. Lazarus tries hard to keep me fed and happy but I miss my toys and my fluffy bed. “Lazarus, it’s time to go” mom quietly says. She grabs her backpack as Lazarus puts on his shoes. “You have to be really quiet girl” he whispers. All is calm, for now, nobody is outside. Rustling comes from in back of us. “Run!” Mom yells. Lazarus and mom start running. I follow unsure of what we are running from. Then I hear why, men yelling and laughing. “There they are!” one yells. I hear a loud bang coming from behind. Mom screams and stumbles but quickly gets back up. I want to grab mom and Lazarus and take them to safety but I can’t, all I can do is run. We finally lose the men and go into an old house, so many smells I don’t recognize. Lazarus picks me up and holds me tight, he tells me to stay quiet. Mom is crying silently as she tugs the shiny red thing around her neck, she always talks to it, I don’t know what it says to her, I never hear it speak but she seems to find comfort in knowing she has it. Mom is acting weird but doesn’t let Lazarus know. A little time passes and once again it’s safe to come out of hiding. We look around for food and water. I’m so hungry but I know my boy and mom are hungry too, so I help look. “Mom, I’m scared, I wish we could go home.” Mom sighs and touches his face; a tear rolls down his cheek. I go to him and wait to be picked up. I give Lazarus a kiss on the face and don’t stop till he smiles again. Suddenly mom falls to the ground moaning. “Mom, what’s wrong? Mom!” Lazarus sounds frightened but mom says nothing and continues moaning. I run up and smell something funny, I’m not sure what it is but it smells like those small dark things Lazarus keeps in a box, he calls them pennies. Why does she smell like pennies? "My son, I love you so much don’t ever forget that, and don’t stop running.” Mom whispers. Lazarus is crying harder; all I can do is kiss mom’s face. She takes what she calls a heart locket off her neck and puts it in Lazarus’ hand. She whispers to him, “take this my brave boy, it will help you get to where you need to go. Don’t ever lose it; you will know what to do with it when the time is right.” Lazarus looks at the locket in his hand and cries more. “Mom you can’t leave me, please mom, don’t leave me!” I rub against Lazarus and kiss mom again as Lazarus puts his face on her chest. She touches the back of his head then her arm falls to her side. She isn’t moving, she’s gone. Lazarus stays on her longer, crying, I know we have to keep moving, that’s what mom always said. I push Lazarus with my nose until he looks at me. “It’s time to go my boy.” I bark. He doesn’t want to leave his mom but knows we have to. He grabs an old cloth and covers her then we begin to walk away. He continues to look back every few steps. Lazarus looks at the heart locket in his hand as we walk out of the old house. He stops and leans over to me, “here girl, I am giving you this; please don’t lose it, if something ever happens to me just keep going, mom said the locket will help you.” My boy puts it around my neck. I know I must guard it with my life and I will.
By VANESSA MARTINEZ3 years ago in Fiction