Author: SamT.Gutierrez

My name is Sam and I love art. I sometimes do podcast, I sometimes stream videogames.
Fiction · Scene

Unlucky Stan

SamT.Gutierrez1 Comment

Stan stairs at the basement door, in horror. Through the door, the weak steps plunged deep into darkness. Stan flicks the flashlight to reveal a pool of floating slippers, clear containers containing various arts and crafts from Emily’s childhood, and a couple of unpaired socks floating in dark filthy water. Barbra must have left the washing machine overflow again.  Stan knows what will happen if Barbra comes back and see the ocean developing in the basement. This fight seems worth avoiding even though it is her fault. Not going to tell her that.

Without his floaty, Stan ventures into the sea of forgotten. Empty Gain containers and fabric softeners floated across the current Stan was creating. Flashlight reveals the drowning aging sweatpants and old pair of tennis shoes being weighed down by a dung bell. More unpaired socks floating past Stan looking for their long lost love. Cotton fuzzes turning into dark clouds lost, without an exit. Family albums Barbra’s mother had given her last Christmas. The albums are filled with family members like her cousin Margaret, uncle Gregory, and great grandfather Tyler the Navy Seal. Stan remembers Tyler’s picture in full attire receiving a medal of honor from the Vietnam war. A bicycle with a frail basket and a flock of pink ribbons that Emily use to ride up and down the street when she was little. Emily use to take the bike to her friend, Tiffany, house down the block for sleep overs.

The water, up to Stan’s naval, and Stan is six feet high. The washing machine, spewing water, was indeed left open and continuously over flowing. Stan, subconsciously, searches and found the overhead electrical outlet far above the forming basement pond. Reaching for the knobs without moving underneath the water is unsuccessful. Twisting the knobs had no effect on the water and soon the entire basement will be submerged.  Stan takes a deep breath and plunges under the water. Flashlight leading the way, looking for an alternate way to end this flushing nightmare. The Dyson is still under warranty and would need to be taken in, that’s for sure. Everything seemed to be plugged in, Stan wouldn’t know if something was in the wrong spot. Stan began adjusting the washing machine hose, loosening, and removing. The hole is small, but Stan figures something might be caught in the hole and be the reason the machine isn’t jumping to the next cycle. Stan burrows the top and takes another deep breath and heads back down. Placing his hand into the hole, the sensation of oil taking hold of his hand made Stan feel uneasy and pushed his arm in deep enough to cover his forearm. Stan notices the sudden shake in the washing machine. Spin cycle? Excited Stan jerked his arm out. The second attempt proved even less successful. Panic over takes and began flopping around like a circus gold fish. Air bubbles escape Stan a few at a time. His arm was stuck. Stan looks around, looking for anything that could help him escape. Nothing but the family album staring back at him. Stan felt heavy, cold, and alone. I wish I was you Seal. 

Trainer Orange
#Fiction

Trainer Orange

SamT.GutierrezLeave a comment

The sky is clear blue, a dozen Spearow flew above. Tall pine, home to a  wild Caterpie, thick wide trunks with a center hole. A child swing attached to a wide out reached branch from the pine. Franklin Walsh sat on the porch looking at the swing. He loved swinging, just new interest overcame. Now Franklin wants to begin his Pokemon adventure. Franklin just turned twelve and Red, his idle, was almost eleven when he started his adventure. It was time. Franklin clutched a white sphere with a red lining across the center and around the button. Franklin’s mother said she would give him his first Pokemon, yet, she’s not around much.

“Frank.”

“Yeah dad?”

“She’ll be here. No worries. She said it will be the coolest Pokemon.” That conversation happened a long time ago. It just dad and me. He doesn’t like Pokemon so much, just the little ones and the Caterpie that has taken shelter in the family tree. Franklin’s mom was a Pokemon trainer, a good one from the little he knows of her, and is always on an adventure.

Franklin didn’t want to wait. He recites the stories he’s heard of Red. Battling the rain storm, traveling to the distant lands, competing against the Elite Four. That’s my dream. I heard he was even in the Orange Island for a while. He was here and I missed him. The empty ball tightens around Franklin’s hands. He would never know. Franklin runs. The high grass isn’t far from his house. Or maybe to the docks for a water Pokemon. The tall grass near rustled. A Pokemon! Without a second though, Franklin hurls the Premier Ball towards the grass. The ball pops into the air and bright red light emits and absorbs into the ball. The Premiere ball button glowed red. The ball shakes once. Please. The ball shake twice. Please please. A third. Franklin holds his breath, watching. The red fades from the button and the ball ceases. Franklin, still as a Snorlax, watched the ball in awe. I did it. 

“I did it,” Franklin said rushing to meet his new lifelong partner. Franklin’s father, erupts from the house and rushed to his side, fearing the worst.

“You used the Priemer ball? I thought you were saving that?” Franklin’s dad notices the red light eminating from the ball, “What did you catch son?” Franklin couldn’t respond and just held the ball. Finally, pushing the center button, the red beam of light returned and his friend emerged.

The Pokemon a short tail of berry red waves. Curls on the Pokemon’s head with strands reaching almost to her black nose. A skin color of brick-red and mud colored paws. Pointy outstretched ears, also mud colored, and a white fur underbelly. Her crocodile green eyes staring right back at Franklin. I’ve never seen a Pokemon so so beautiful.

“What is it dad?”

“That’s a rare Pokemon here on the island son. Can’t say I’ve ever seen one here. That’s a Vulpix.”

Fiction

Food Fight Ep.4

SamT.GutierrezLeave a comment

General Gonzalez

The camp was a well oiled machine. A large fence protects the camp. Several guards patrolling the fence, wielding  WN rifles and police riot gear, looking for the slightest change in familiarity. A single wooden sniper nest is home to Caitlyn, the most proficient Spoil with a WN rifle. A tomato garden flourishes under the fair sun. Botany expert, Martha, always in reaching distance like Caitlyn and her rifle. Yang teaching history to the a couple of the children about the world before the bomb.

General Felix Gonzalez stand six feet and four inches high two-twenty pounds. Wide shoulders and broad chest. Unshaven face, covering a strong jawline and impeccable cheek bones. Black hair, crew cut, tight and neat. Black and grey eyes with a razor sharp edge flowing with wisdom and power. Black bullet proof vest covered by a onyx flight jacket with a patch on the right shoulder with a shark fresh after a kill. Crisp black work trousers and shin high dark brown military combat boots. General Gonzalez watches his people every morning and every evening.

Caitlyn walking into the General’s chambers. Caitlyn was five foot five just around a hundred pounds. Outlined cheek and jawline and her cheeks looked like they’re being sucked in by a vacuum. Emerald eyes with a tint of darkness, a hint of secrecy. Light long brown hair tied in a ponytail with a few strands dangling on her brow. Full developed breast covered with an identical flight jacket, except for the size, covering a t-shirt that says AC-DC . Fitted black work trousers and lower cut military combat boots.

“Lex made contact with the Outlaws. Says Exiles beat them to it,” Caitlyn said. The general began pacing, tying his arms behind his back. Caitlyn just watching the general patiently.

“Where is Lex now?”

“Still by the Walgreens.”

“Remain scouting. No engage. Got it?” Caitlyn turns quietly and exits. General watches Caitlyn head back to the walkie and relay the orders. The glass is strong and hard to make out the words, yet, Caitlyn seems uneasy. Caitlyn struts quickly, returns back to the general, worried.

“It’s Kristen.”

“Dead?”

“No word. An ambush from the Outlaws.”

“Did the flower plan this?”

“Doubt it. My guess, an Outlaw scout.”

“Can we spare guys and get Kristen out?”

“She brought Aaron with her but we have Ki and Newman to spare.”

With a deep breath from the general, “Send them.” Caitlyn nods and exits for the second time.

Deja vu, watching Caitlyn making the call on the walkie. Martha still hard at work with her ammo. Yang still teaching the kids about the constitution. General looks about with disapproval with a concerning feeling building in his belly. If the flower did this, she must have leverage to make a move. General didn’t like the smell of this and won’t take any chances with her. Caitlyn, off the walkie, nods at the General and Ki and Newman exit the fence jeep, spud shooters, and battle horn loaded.

 

#Fiction

Food Fight Ep.3

SamT.GutierrezLeave a comment

Mark

Mark stands quietly over the argument. The warehouse the Exiles are sheltered in is run down and safe, for now. Tirsten and Luke don’t like this deal, yet Daisy and David are persistent.

“We can’t waste our time at the grocery store. That has trap written all over it,” Tristen said.

“The rewards out way the risk. If we can do this trade you will be kissing my ass,” Daisy said with a devilishly sly smirk.

“And if we don’t? Whose going to sacrifice their life?” David stands behind his sister and crosses his arm. Lauren sitting on a crate holding Ramon waves her bare right hand.

“Guess I have some volunteers.”

“How do you know we can trust this guy? What makes you think he’ll be there and not Outlaws? Or even Spoils, Luke said now concerned that Lauren is involved.

“He’s my guy. I’ve known him before the world went to shit. I can trust him. We can trust him.”

Marks heard enough, “We can send Daisy and David and Lauren, if she really wants to, for the trade. This is your deal and I won’t risk my guys.” Daisy nods and walks off with David. Lauren shrugs to Luke and walks behind the siblings.

Luke’s big blues eyes are full of sadness and concern. Taller than most of the group, stands shoulder to shoulder with Mark. Dirty messy golden hair covered his ears. Wears the clothes from Daisy and David successful raid from the Penny. An unbuttoned dark grey thermal and lose tan cargo pants and black all-stars. His neck was covered by a dark green scarf. Luke’s a young child only fifteen, like Lauren, unfortunate they were born in this era. Poor kid cares about her.

“Did you have to let her go,” Luke said.

“It wasn’t my call. It was hers.” Luke didn’t like the answer and stormed off.

Tristen is older than Luke, yet, not as tall. Just below Mark’s shoulder Tristen’s crew cut started. Short black hair trimmed neat and often. Dark eyes with unforgiving bags. An old grey hoodie covers the beer belly, Tristen, use to feed often wearing black pants and black combat boots. Tristen still seems uneasy about the decision that was made.

“Your sure about this Mark?”

“No. We need to make a move on the Walgreens. We’re out of antibiotics and Lauren said she hasn’t seen any Outlaws or Spoils. Should make a move with Luke and Brittany before they find it.” Tristen nods and walks off dragging his boots. The over head light flickers. Tiny beams of sunlight sneak through the plaster and boards.

Your gonna get them all killed. Your wrong. I can lead them. Sending Lauren is a mistake. Your wrong to trust Daisy and David. Their spies and you know it. Have to trust people. If not we are no better than Spoils or Outlaws. Fucking idiot.

“You okay Marky?” Mark shook his head, didn’t even hear her.

“Yeah Lauren, I’m fine. Do me a favor and brief Brittany on the Walgreens for a raid. Going to send them while the trade goes down.”

“Hey! That’s the job I was scoping out. Ramon and I have dibs.”

“Unless you can be in two places at once.”

“Fine fine. I’ll brief em. Will be back before you know it Marky.” Lauren skipped off with a frozen bag.

You’ll never see them again. Their fighters, of course we will.

 

Girl In Yellow
Scene

Girl In Yellow

SamT.GutierrezLeave a comment

She is beautiful. The most beautiful sunflower. Dandelion colored heels with a blunt point clack with each step on the pavement. The walk of a goddess. Her hips swayed side to side gathering the attention of all onlookers. Porcelain skin shines off the partially hidden sun reflecting shades of canary and gold. Her sun dress twirling in sun with a bumblebee tint and a dijon leather belt and a flaxen steel buckle. Lemon blonde hair hangs below her shoulders shining bright and full of life. Full red lips and a smile that makes any man succumb.