10.16.2007

First Post

Keep myself occupied, they say. Stay out of trouble, they say. What I want to know is, how on earth can I get into any trouble while I’m staring at computers all day, along with resetting cameras, detangling an idiot’s idea of wiring, trying to stay warm, and keeping the others in line? I would think all of that would keep me occupied as well.

Never did fancy blogs. But I suppose I often do get a hankering for some writing. Call me the oddball of the bunch. …I was kidding. Please don’t call me the oddball. I got enough names flying around that people use to describe me.

In the end, I figure if I’m gonna be stuck in Texas for a while, I might as well give my brain something else to think about every so often, even if it really isn’t to stay occupied or keep myself out of trouble. I’ll let the boss think it is. That way he can feel important.

10.15.2007

My Pursuit

...
11.10.10
More

The pieces and facts I have gathered thus far:
  1. My parents were killed in a car accident when I was eighteen. Though labeled as a tragic misfortune, I believed it to be murder.
  2. My memory prior to the accident was permanently erased.
  3. The police claimed they knew the other driver was Troy Hampton and arrested him.
  4. Hampton's vehicle didn't match the paint scratches on my parents' car, nor did the evidence, in my opinion, hold up, along with the fact that Hampton never confessed.
  5. Hampton was released from prison several years later.
  6. My own investigating revealed to me it must have been a pickup hauling lumber that hit our car - though the police never agreed.
  7. After joining the police force I began my avid quest for the truth.
  8. Searching, I discovered the name Truman Barker - the vehicle and timeframe seemed to add up. I believed he was the culprit. After more research and a false arrest, I learned he was not the murderer.
  9. Next was Roy Peterson, a rival coworker of my father's. After pursuing him, I found he was innocent.
  10. Further investigation led to crossed wires, hidden files and closed mouths. No one would talk about my parents or what business my father was really in. I feared dirty dealings, encouraging me to continue my search for justice.
  11. Clark Rierson had made written threats to my father. I tracked him down and cornered him, only to discover he was out of state at the time of the accident, with a solid alibi.
  12. Each time I dug deeper, I faced more dead ends. My father was supposedly a clerk for the local mill while teaching driver's ed. on the side. But was it more? No one wanted to give me answers. Not even my family. Friends and relatives were never to be found. And those that were, denied me truthful answers.
  13. I discovered Bob Michaels, a thug loosely connected to the Agency. Upon arresting him, an alibi for the time of the accident was revealed.
  14. Next was Neil Smith, Byron Thompson and Les Welds. Each time I thought I had proof, and each time I was disproved and forced back to square one.
  15. I pinpointed a new name: Mason Parks. He worked with my father, or so it seemed. Evidence piled up and I thought I'd found the right man this time. Then I discovered he had died of natural causes four years ago. I also discovered he hadn't been the right man after all.
  16. A new name came up: Rex Herschen. A gunman, I discovered he could be connected to the case and could have information for me. But that trail only led me into trouble.
  17. With some help, I finally found the red pickup truck I believed to have been the other vehicle in the accident. Abandoned in a junkyard for years, I began to trace ownership.
  18. A new nightmare interrupted my investigation, convincing me that an argument with my father had been the cause of the accident - not murderous intent.
Today, questions have risen once more. A nightmare that had convinced me so vividly of the truth has faded, leaving me in a fog yet again. Was it true that I helped cause the accident? Or was it only a dream, conceived by my emotional need for closure? What if my subconscious, weary from the dead ends, sought to form an answer - an answer that was my own fault? What if that driver still exists? What if I have been right all along? What if there really is more to this case? Do I bury the past, based on a nightmare that almost cost me my life? Or do I return to the search?





And then...?

I never added to this string of puzzle pieces after I recognized that it was I who had caused the car accident, not some evil plot to kill them. After I wanted to end it all. After I recovered and began to live again. No... it seemed pointless to go on here. All of the piece I had gathered really didn't fit one to another and it was time I admitted the truth - the puzzle would never be whole because it was I. It has been a long time since revisiting these thoughts and feelings. The passion with which I drove myself into the case of a ghost... was I so blind?

My dreams have returned with merciless fury. And so has the vision of that second vehicle. And so have my doubts.



3.19.09

Not Fair

The nightmare came back last night. Now it feels like I'm missing something. It's hard to describe. But it's almost like the dream has been skewed by imagination, not just fact. Was it really a pickup that struck our car? All the lights and smoke... was that real? Why can't I remember anything prior? It doesn't seem fair.



1.10.09

I Will

You'd think by now I'd be used to the opportunities slipping through my fingers. Sting is still there though. I had a name. And the name was mentioned in Mexico. But when my source got there, it was too late. I'm not giving up though. I will find him. I will find the man that destroyed my world.



8.17.08

Anniversary

Found a picture of my grandma today. I didn't know I had it with me. Yesterday was the ten-year anniversary of her death. Having only known her for two years, I feel swindled out of more time. Granddaddy didn't last long after she was gone either. Maybe it was for the best. At least they weren't that long without each other. Perhaps it was all in the plan for me to be alone. Without the accident, I wouldn't be where I am today.



2.5.08

Missing Piece?

Had a nightmare last night. It’s a reoccurring one. Comes back a couple times a year.

In the dream, I’m in the car accident. I know it’s the one because the two other people in the car are my parents - at least that's what it feels like. I never see their faces. Out of nowhere, a red pickup comes flying at us. I hear my mother scream. Then it's as if I'm looking at the scene from the sidelines. There's a lot of smoke, emergency lights and shouting. Fear is what keeps me watching. Then everything goes black.

Funny thing is - the police never knew what kind of vehicle the other guy was driving. That was one reason they couldn't trace him. Was it a red, Ford pickup? I wonder.



12.16.07

New Photo

Got an email from Ted Dover today... I guess I knew him in high school. Least that's what they tell me. He's one of the few that stuck around after realizing I didn't remember a thing about being friends with him.

Anyway, he sent me a picture he just found in an old box and scanned so I could see it. Looks like it was me and my parents on some sort of fishing trip. I look like I'm about ten years old. Got a dog with us...I wonder if we were pals.

I don't recognize the scenery. My granddaddy told me once that my family would go up to Canada every once in a while for vacation. I bet that's where this was.

Another piece in the puzzle. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll ever see the completed scene.



10.15.07

My Past

Imagine waking up in a hospital bed and not having a clue where you are or even who you are. That was me at eighteen years old. Finding out my parents had both died in the crash didn't bring tears - I couldn't remember them. People felt sorry for me because I couldn't remember anything about my past or my family. But to me it was simply something I never knew.

It was my grandparents that took me in until I was steady enough to get out on my own. After a few surgeries, pins in my shoulder and leg and a nice metal plate in my head, I suppose I was grateful for being alive. Though being alive wasn't all it was cracked up to be without knowing who I was.

I guess my aunt and uncle didn't care much for me. They pretty much cleaned out the house. Took a bunch of stuff. I wound up with a few pictures, but nothing that gave me much to go on about my past. My grandparents told me stories, but it bothered them to talk about it since my parents were gone, so I finally stopped asking them questions.

A few friends stuck around - only those who were ambitious enough to start a new friendship with me, because the old one was gone. After a while though, the number got down to about two.

The culprit for the accident was never found. He'd been arrested for armed robbery, but somehow escaped jail. Though the police knew who it was, the escapee disappeared. Later, the case was closed.

I guess the unsolved mystery lit an ambition for law. The police force was a new start in life. I worked my way up until I got a proposition from TJY and my motivation shifted. Since then, that's where I've been.

10.07.2007

My hobby

The glory of the heavens. Nothing can compare. Not the greatest, most beautiful most expensive and creative thing of man could ever even come close to the workmanship of God. I could never tire of gazing into His space.












































































































































































































10.01.2007

The Elite

The Elite (or TJY) is part of the creative online roleplaying adventure, RC. To exit this blog and check out the Elite, click here.

The R/M Ranch

The R/M ranch is a part of the creative online roleplaying adventure, RC. To exit this blog and visit the R/M ranch, click here.

The RC Saga

Brent Franklin is a part of the online creative roleplaying adventure, RC. To exit this blog and visit the RC saga, click here.

Family Tree

I finally found it! Can't be a Franklin without being related to Jamie. I mean, come on... who wouldn't want to be related to her?

Come to find out, my great great great grandfather was Jamie's great great great great uncle. Good thing she got to be on the side of the family with the good looks though. Otherwise she woulda turned out looking like me. Fortunately she's prettier than I'll get out. And yes - I would say that right in front of Con, because he wouldn't hurt me... much... I don't think...

My Name

It's all Con's fault, really. I was simply Brent before I got to know that big guy. But once he saw me take down that fugitive, it was Gunner all the way. Thought I'd gotten rid of the name once I got hooked up with TJY, but it followed me there, too. By now, I've gotten kinda used to it. Okay, so I kinda like it. But call me what you want. Brent. Gunner. Just don't call me Sweety - that is unforgivable.

Ode to Cinnamon Gum

Oh spiciness, you curb my keen appetite,
For gum to chew, and quite a delight.
Just enough sweet and just enough spark,
A day with you is like a walk in the park.
Heaven forbid the day I discover,
No pieces left, while I’m under cover.

Gunner's Famous Quotes

Think first.

Just say "no" ...unless "yes" is the right answer.

Failure exists only in the hearts of those foolish enough to believe it.

Never jump with your eyes closed – there’s too much to see on the way down.

Do not be afraid of messing things up – this is how wisdom is gained.

Never leave your heart unspoken.

If it weren't for the cloudy days, the sunny days would seem less extraordinary.

Go ahead - wear your heart on your sleeve. At least people can see it.

Sarcasm means nothing to someone who doesn't understand the concept of true humor.

True love is unconditional in a heart that knows no bounds. True hate devours the soul and deprives the spirit.

Look into the eyes of man and see a world of greed. Look into the eyes of God and see a universe of grace.

White, puffy clouds are God's way of making us use our imagination.

Toast always tastes better when Grandma makes it.

Life is short. Don't wait to live it.

It doesn't take success to form a dream. It takes a dream to reach success.

Don’t look back. You might miss what’s right in front of your face.

God gave us a mind for dreaming and a heart for soaring.

Tomorrow will come soon enough. Then you’ll wish for yesterday.