The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

Table of Contents Introduction Ideals, Principles and Responsibilities Challenges Policies and procedures Conclusion References Introduction The simplest definition of Ethics is doing something that is right. A certified code that defines what is right for providers of childcare is a tool that helps to instill responsibility in respect to how children, adults, and the society relate to one another and how they ought to live together. Early childhood educationalists have a given code of ethics that defines principles for acceptable behavior.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This forms a universal foundation for working out dilemmas as far as ethics in early childhood development is concerned (Decker, Decker, Freeman Knopf, 2009). The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Governing body updated and revised the given set of guidelines and later on, the Association for Childhood education International (ACEI) approved them. Ideals, Principles and Responsibilities Ideals are the utmost objectives that guide an individual. Principles explain what the individual should or should not do in order to achieve these objectives. Responsibility on the other hand is an individual’s obligation to perform a task. In the book of NAEYC code of ethical conduct, there is no direct link between a specific problem and the principles contained. It just includes what is required of the educator hence acts as a guide to solving any problem that may arise in taking care of children at an early stage. There are four main sections in the NAEYC code of conduct manual. These are preamble, the core values, conceptual framework and a statement of commitment. A special kind of numbering distinguishes the various codes of ethics with reference to the groups of individuals they address e.g. P-1.1(Decker, Decker, Freeman Kno pf, 2009). These groups are Children, Families, Co-workers, and the Society. Challenges A principle that is challenging to programs is P-1.2 which states thus; we will not engage ourselves in activities that look down on children by either denying them their rights or favoring a specific group based on gender, parent’s financial status or spiritual belief. This principle ceases to be effective where there are laws that allow certain programs to give services to a specific group of children. As an educator, I find principle P-2.9 to be quite challenging; we will respect the privacy and uphold confidentiality of the child’s family life. Any information relating to the child and the family will remain a secret. This information shall however be released if concerns about the child’s well being arise and will be given to individuals with the child’s interest at heart.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This principle is not solid enough to cater for a child’s privacy as it has a loophole, which is not well defined. One can easily release crucial information about the child with the pretext that the child’s interest is the key factor. Policies and procedures The ethical code of conduct has emphasized on the importance of policies and procedures. Policy 2.3 and 2.8 both shed light on the importance of policies in early childhood care. P-2.3- Notification of families of the children regarding policies is crucial and they shall be included in decision making regarding policies. P-2.8- We will come up with documented policies that protect children and the secrets of their families. Policy 2.3 Put emphases on the necessity to involve families in making decisions regarding policies as seem necessary. Policy 2.8 on the other hand affirms that written policies regarding a child’s confidentiality are in place to protect records of the child from exposure (New Crochran, 2007). Under the ethical responsibilities to children code, we are assured that community procedures and laws put by state shall be adhered to in order to familiarize with symptoms of child abuse and neglect t(P-1.5) Employees are not left out either. P-3C.2 states that staff members are to work in conditions that will ensure maximum achievement of goals and responsibilities (Decker, Decker, Freeman Knopf, 2009). Conclusion Ethics is the act of an individual behaving in a responsible manner. The NAEYC Code of ethical conduct is an important instrument used by childhood educators and providers to come up with solutions to problems that arise in the care of children. This code of ethics aids an educator to comprehend their responsibilities to the children under their care. It is hence of great importance that the early child hood educator be familiar with the various codes of conduct as these will aid in solving dilemmas regarding ethics. Refer ences Decker, A,C, Decker, R.D, Knopf, H Freeman, N.K. Planning and Administering Early Childhood Programs (9th Edition) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc, 2009. New, R.S Crochran, M. Early Childhood Education: O-Z. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct was written and submitted by user Jalen J. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Presentation of the Gothic Male Protagonist Essays

Presentation of the Gothic Male Protagonist Essays Presentation of the Gothic Male Protagonist Essay Presentation of the Gothic Male Protagonist Essay To what extent does the characterization of Heathenish exemplify gothic elements? Emily Bronzes Withering Heights is not necessarily described as a gothic novel; however it certainly exhibits many gothic elements throughout its narrative. These are present through the characterization of Heathenish as the gothic protagonist as he often exemplifies numerous characteristics of the male gothic archetype. This can be seen through the exploration of binary oppositions within his character, such as his simultaneous representation as both victim and Machiavellian villain. This duality of character can be likened to the protagonist In The Strange Case of Dry Jewell and My Hyde, in which an alternate persona is created in order to fulfill Dry Jellys evil desires. Although Heathenish does not create a defined alternate personality, his drastic inner contradictions are reminiscent of Dry Jellys, shown through his capable for intense love towards Catherine, and simultaneous tyrannical treatment of Isabella. Another prevalent gothic aspect which Is significant to the characterization of Heathenish Is his current associations with bestial and preternatural Influences. Josephs assertion that weve all as summate uh rather side in us, introduces the idea of being connection with bestial or non-human influences, a recurrent theme in the characterization of male protagonists within gothic literature. His appearance is a physical manifestation of his separation from the Earns family, aligning his with the other, describing him as a dark skinned gypsy emphasizes his unknown parentage, marking him as an outsider. Likewise the degrading term gypsy presents the Idea of being underbred, meanwhile his foreign appearance draws upon his connection with the exotic. Recurrent descriptions of him being dark creates ambiguity of whether this is a reference to his race or his nature, heightening the enigma surrounding Heathenish. Its so dark almost as if it came from the devil, through labeling him as it, the lack of nominal attribution disables him from ever truly being Integrated into the Earns family. Satanic connotations draw upon the gothic theme of the supernatural and connect him to these evil Influences, acting as warning of his potentially destructive powers. Shelter associations of his characterization are once again highlighted through the description of his basilisk eyes, suggesting bestial and mythical connections. This constructs Heathenish as being in possession of considerable powers, whilst the annalistic qualities depict a degree of other-worldliness. His continual connection with alternative influences further divides him from the Awareness: A lying fiend, a monster, and not a human being! This demonstration of Heathenish places him In a lamina sphere between human ND inhuman while monster reinforces his brutality, distancing him from empathy or humanity, reminding us of his status as other. Claire Jones stated Heathenish has only the singular name, which serves him as both Christian and surname. This places him radically outside social patterns and conventions. The implantation of the protagonist lends his character to the constant alignment with the enigmatic and unconventionality rather than being accepted by the Awareness: subsequently being An archetype of the gothic male is the possession of considerable powers to create n imposing stance; as stated by David Punter they often stalk the pages of the novel, adding to the subtle terror present within gothic literature. Throughout the narrative the striking physical appearance of Heathenish is communicated to the reader, an aspect constructed through his dominance. Even after death the protagonist holds a power over the remaining characters. Through using a dash close his eyes - Bronze creates a fragmented, breathless tone and we adopt Kneels fearful nature as we are forced to pause and reflect on Heathenishly threatening presence. Likewise as a consequence of her feeble attempts l tried, her fears are projected onto the reader as we adopt her perspective throughout due to her dominance in relaying the narrative. Her tentative nature If possible reinforces his striking physicality as Newly appears to be confronting a considerable force, this notion is emphasizes through continual reference to his life-like gaze which denotes a threatening presence. Meanwhile her doubtful tone is indicative of his ability to transcend the boundary between life and death as her contains passions which Anton be constrained in death. The preternatural nature of Heathenish is communicated through his physical description they would not shut. Through the use of his eyes as the focal point, a satanic, defiant power is suggested while his sharp, white teeth convey his tyrannical behavior through the annalistic connection. This can also be likened to a vampire descriptions which is reminiscent of Count Drachma from Stokers Drachma, thus creating a threatening tone through the linking of both protagonists as it suggests reverent behavior. Heathenishly physical ability is communicated a blow form Heathenish is significant as it is demonstrative of the ease with which he can inflict harm in a single blow. Binary oppositions are often utilized as a vehicle for portraying Heathenishly duality of character, a collective trait within gothic protagonists. A recurrent aspect of his characterization is the representation of him to the reader as both victim and villain. The description of his lip of devoid of their ferocious sneer exemplifies his manipulative nature and constructs his capability for savagery as constant and a defining trait within his harasser. As he is devoid of this malicious gaze, we glimpse a rare of his inner vulnerability. This is reiterated through his unspeakable sadness which outlines the contradictions which occur within the characterization of Heathenish. Despite this, we are unable to ever truly sympathies with the protagonist as any helplessness we are shown the stray sheep us immediately contradicted through the use of contrasting imagery an evil beast. This leaves the reader in a state of ambivalence towards Heathenish as his potential for evil is omnipresent, even in times of weakness.

Crack Writers Can Lay Easter Eggs

Crack Writers Can Lay Easter Eggs Crack Writers Can Lay Easter Eggs Crack Writers Can Lay Easter Eggs By Mark Nichol Do you like Easter egg hunts? No, not the kind with puzzled toddlers and woven baskets and brightly colored candy and hardboiled eggs. The type of Easter egg in question is a hidden message or other feature in any piece of content or even a computer or software program. A variation on this theme is naming or describing someone or something in a story to give readers a clue about a plot element. Writers employ this device all the time, merely by giving a character an evocative name. The moniker of Ebenezer Scrooge, for example, thanks to its grating, discordant qualities, does not inspire a reader to visualize a kindly, generous figure (though names can be or, in this case, can become deceiving). But authors can go a step further and foreshadow plot revelations or twists by assigning a name that, at least for some readers, will hint at later developments. Here are a few examples of this strategy (which, for all I know, may have another name): The Egg of Columbus Speaking of eggs, an anecdote about Christopher Columbus features him countering the claim that anyone else could have accomplished his feat of discovery by challenging others to stand an egg on end. When they fail to do so, he taps the egg on a table, breaking the end, and sets it upright on its now-flattened base. (A similar, possibly apocryphal story predates this incident, which itself may or may not be historical.) This analog to the Gordian knot or a reference to the Gordian knot itself, part of the lore of Alexander the Great could allude to an offbeat solution to a problem. Kobayashi Maru This is the name of a fictional spaceship in the Star Trek universe, the subject of a computer simulation that tests a prospective Starfleet officer’s character by presenting a scenario in which the vessel is disabled in forbidden territory. The exercise, similar in theme to the riddles of the Egg of Columbus and the Gordian knot, is ostensibly a no-win situation: The simulation program cheats so that the test subject always loses, thus guaranteeing that the focus will be not only on the person’s approach to solving the problem but also their reaction to the failure. However, several Star Trek films, series episodes, and novels refer to efforts to subvert the test. In your story, a ship or person so labeled perhaps with the names inverted will tease knowing readers with the understanding that some similar stratagem is in the offing. Arthur Conan Doyle The creator of Sherlock Holmes can lend his name to any one of a number of intriguing ideas. A character named Doyle (using the full name would be overkill) might allude to sleuthing or presents a link to one of the following alternative notions: At least one researcher suspects that Doyle was a conspirator in the Piltdown Man hoax, in which a fossil skull found in England in the early twentieth century was believed to be the fabled missing link between apes and humans. Doyle became an ardent spiritualist after the deaths of his wife, a son, and other close family members, and argued for the existence of fairies. He was a friend of escape artist Harry Houdini until the latter’s antispiritualism crusade, during which Houdini debunked fraudulent psychics and mediums, led to an estrangement. Doyle also created another legendary character, Professor Edward Challenger, hero of The Lost World and other adventures. This post does not suggest using these specific examples; my hope is that they will inspire you to cook up some of your own Easter eggs purchased in your store of knowledge and served in a story in the appropriate genre. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:"Because Of" and "Due To" Broadcast vs Broadcasted as Past FormA "Diploma" is not a "Degree"

NHS and Community Care Act 1990 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

NHS and Community Care Act 1990 - Essay Example In a broader perspective, the initial misgivings with regard to the aspects such as the implementation of the services and professional opposition have been overcome successfully, and this is a significant achievement. Guillebaud (1953), states â€Å"Providing the best service possible within the limits of the available resources has always been the challenge for the NHS. But it has never prevented the NHS striving for - and achieving - ambitious results. The record speaks for itself†. Viewed from the backdrop of an increase in the number of people aged at 85 and over from 240,000 at the end of 1956 to 1,024,000 at the end of 2006, it can be said that the NHS has been by and large fulfilling its mission in providing community care to the society, satisfactorily. In mental health, the services are provided in a variety of settings. It takes care of the community psychiatric needs through acute wards with secured provisions as well. The service delivery in respect of learning di fficulties has improved over a period of time and has become very diverse to cater to the specific needs. Triggle (2010) states that a huge cultural shift is needed in the NHS in England to ensure children get the right care, a government-commissioned review says. Abuse of elders in private setting is also a cause for concern among the professionals. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (2003, p.1)states that the range of therapy services is available, but there are long delays for occupational and speech and language therapy.

Employees-Management Coflicts at British Airways Essay

Employees-Management Coflicts at British Airways - Essay Example References 23 1. Executive Summary British Airways is air carrier Hospitality Company which operates in United Kingdom with its head quarter in London. Recently there observed a conflict between employees and the management which was afterwards resolved after significant losses. The purpose of this study is to dig out the root causes for what the problem arouse and the deviation between proposed solution and the most appropriate solution in order to resolve the matter with least damages. The study is purely descriptive and qualitative which uses case study research design to find out the deduction (Cooper 2007). As it has to interact with human behaviors then it is socially collaborative research hence it is specified as deductive research. The real time scenario will be implicated over the literary theories and practices to deduce the most appropriate results (Sekaran 2003). The cabin crew employees had a problem with the management policies related to their rights and incentives is sues (BBC News). They went on a shutdown to get their demands fulfilled. The dispute ran for a longer time period of two years and the main agenda presented by the employees union was pay and benefits. It remained an acrimonious one for the taste of the top management. It caused twenty two days of crew cabin staff strike. Human resource department was not able to handle the situation (BBC UK). The problem was tackled at last; the guilt was on both parties. The demands were unjust and the management was getting failed in digging out some perfect situation handler. 2. Introduction The proposed study anticipates digging out the recent conflict issues which were observed at British Airways among management and the employees (hubpages). The conflicts were sought to be resolved in order to get the operations straight forward as well as on the stream of action. The research methodology which is used to get the insights from the matter is secondary data approach using deductive research des ign. The conclusion is generalized as the matter was not only dependent upon the management. There were many of the contemporary issues which were over sought by the stakeholders. The study is a spot light, basically, and the primary purpose is to find out the relationship between conflict handling capabilities and the employees’ union authority at British Airways. Since British Airways is a well-known traveling company operating in United Kingdom, having the head quarter at London, UK. It is the biggest carrier company in United Company whereas it is placed at 3rd number all over the Europe. The company stands at 1st in airlines ranking all over the world having 51000 employees. The passenger turnover which is recorded on the booking basis is 36 million per annum. It has a lot of strengths over its contemporaries. Threats which were observed over the history of British Airways were short termed and management resolved the issues in a managed and systematic manner. Over the p eriod of Human Resource era, the beginning was a little bit shaky for hospitality industry. Because before the arrival of HR era, customer was considered as a king and there were lesser rights given to the employees. When human resources were realized with their value, conflicts arouse in all over the hospitality industry along with British Airways. In the paper, there is discussed in detail about how the management faced the problems and how was the issue resolved along with better implementation of the case in to the real corporate world with

School Safety and the Tragedy at Columbine High School :: Argumentative Persuasive Argument Essays

Unlike most of the country, I knew about Columbine High School on April 19, 1999. I knew that the Columbine Rebels had a good football team, I remembered how they beat Cherry Creek for the 1999 football championship. I knew what Columbine's building was like from when I was inside it in January for a debate tournament. I had friends that went to CHS. We had gone on a trip to Hawaii together to learn about biology. The rest of the country found out about Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. They didn't hear about their football team, the debate tournament they hosted, or my friends, though; they heard about two angry students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, that went on a killing rampage killing 12 other students, a teacher, and themselves. The nation, the media, the killers, my friends, and me all have their own view of what happened that day. Many people tried to understand how something so terrible could happen, while the killers thought that the killings were a wonderful thing , and still other students were trying to comprehend that this tragedy had actually happened so close to home. At 11:19 in the morning of April 19, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold stood at the west entrance of Columbine High School preparing for the deadliest shooting in American school history. One of them yelled, "Go! Go!," and then the two pulled out their shotguns and began firing, killing two students almost immediately (Jefferson County 3). Harris and Klebold began moving through the school randomly shooting students, detonating pipe bombs, and yelling about how much fun they were having. While this was happening, Coach Dave Sanders and other heroes were frantically trying to get students out of harm's way. At 11:26, while running past the library warning students of the killers, Sanders was shot by one of the shooters. He made it into a science room where first aid was administered by students. He died several hours later in that same room. The worst killing took place in the library during a span of about eight minutes starting at 11:29. Ten students were killed and twelve others were wounded. After leaving the library, Harris and Klebold wandered around the school in movements that appeared to be "extremely random" (Jefferson County 18). They eventually returned to the library at about 12:08 and killed themselves. In 49 minutes, 14 students were left dead, one teacher was left dying, 23 people were injured, and an entire community's sense of safety and security was shattered.

Storm Born Chapter One

I'd seen weirder things than a haunted shoe, but not many. The Nike Pegasus sat on the office's desk, inoffensive, colored in shades of gray, white, and orange. Some of the laces were loosened, and a bit of dirt clung around the soles. It was the left shoe. As for me, well†¦underneath my knee-length coat, I had a Glock .22 loaded with bullets carrying a higher-than-legal steel content. A cartridge of silver ones rested in the coat's pocket. Two athames lay sheathed on my other hip, one silver-bladed and one iron. Stuck into my belt near them was a wand, hand-carved oak and loaded with enough charmed gems to probably blow up the desk in the corner if I wanted to. To say I felt overdressed was something of an understatement. â€Å"So,† I said, keeping my voice as neutral as possible, â€Å"what makes you think your shoe is†¦uh, possessed?† Brian Montgomery, late thirties with a receding hairline in serious denial, eyed the shoe nervously and moistened his lips. â€Å"It always trips me up when I'm out running. Every time. And it's always moving around. I mean, I never actually see it, but†¦like, I'll take them off near the door, then I come back and find this one under the bed or something. And sometimes†¦sometimes I touch it, and it feels cold†¦really cold†¦like†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He groped for similes and finally picked the tritest one. â€Å"Like ice.† I nodded and glanced back at the shoe, not saying anything. â€Å"Look, Miss†¦Odile†¦or whatever. I'm not crazy. That shoe is haunted. It's evil. You've gotta do something, okay? I've got a marathon coming up, and until this started happening, these were my lucky shoes. And they're not cheap, you know. They're an investment.† It sounded crazy to me – which was saying something – but there was no harm in checking, seeing as I was already out here. I reached into my coat pocket, the one without ammunition, and pulled out my pendulum. It was a simple one, a thin silver chain with a small quartz crystal hanging from it. I laced the chain's end through my fingers and held my flattened hand over the shoe, clearing my mind and letting the crystal hang freely. A moment later, it began to slowly rotate of its own accord. â€Å"Well, I'll be damned,† I muttered, stuffing the pendulum back in my pocket. There was something there. I turned to Montgomery, attempting some sort of badass face, because that was what customers always expected. â€Å"It might be best if you stepped out of the room, sir. For your own safety.† That was only half-true. Mostly I just found lingering clients annoying. They asked stupid questions and could do stupider things, which actually put me at more risk than them. He had no qualms about getting out of there. As soon as the door closed, I found a jar of salt in my satchel and poured a large ring on the office's floor. I tossed the shoe into the middle of it and invoked the four cardinal directions with the silver athame. Ostensibly the circle didn't change, but I felt a slight flaring of power, indicating it had sealed us in. Trying not to yawn, I pulled out my wand and kept holding the silver athame. It had taken four hours to drive to Las Cruces, and doing that on so little sleep had made the distance seem twice as long. Sending some of my will into the wand, I tapped it against the shoe and spoke in a sing-song voice. â€Å"Come out, come out, whoever you are.† There was a moment's silence, then a high-pitched male voice snapped, â€Å"Go away, bitch.† Great. A shoe with attitude. â€Å"Why? You got something better to do?† â€Å"Better things to do than waste my time with a mortal.† I smiled. â€Å"Better things to do in a shoe? Come on. I mean, I've heard of slumming it, but don't you think you're kind of pushing the envelope here? This shoe isn't even new. You could have done so much better.† The voice kept its annoyed tone, not threatening but simply irritated at the interruption. â€Å"I'm slumming it? Do you think I don't know who you are, Eugenie Markham? Dark-Swan-Called-Odile. A blood traitor. A mongrel. An assassin. A murderer.† He practically spit out the last word. â€Å"You are alone among your kind and mine. A bloodthirsty shadow. You do anything for anyone who can pay you enough for it. That makes you more than a mercenary. That makes you a whore.† I affected a bored stance. I'd been called most of those names before. Well, except for my own name. That was new – and a little disconcerting. Not that I'd let him know that. â€Å"Are you done whining? Because I don't have time to listen while you stall.† â€Å"Aren't you being paid by the hour?† he asked nastily. â€Å"I charge a flat fee.† â€Å"Oh.† I rolled my eyes and touched the wand to the shoe again. This time, I thrust the full force of my will into it, drawing upon my own body's physical stamina as well as some of the power of the world around me. â€Å"No more games. If you leave on your own, I won't have to hurt you. Come out.† He couldn't stand against that command and the power within it. The shoe trembled, and smoke poured out of it. Oh, Jesus. I hoped the shoe didn't get incinerated during this. Montgomery wouldn't be able to handle that. The smoke bellowed out, coalescing into a large, dark form about two feet taller than me. With all his wisecracks, I'd sort of expected a saucy version of one of Santa's elves. Instead, the being before me had the upper body of a well-muscled man, while his lower portion resembled a small cyclone. The smoke solidified into leathery gray-black skin, and I had only a moment to act as I assessed this new development. I swapped the wand for the gun, ejecting the clip as I pulled it out. By then, he was lunging for me, and I had to roll out of his way, confined by the circle's boundaries. A keres. A male keres – most unusual. I'd anticipated something fey, which required silver bullets; or a spectre, which required no bullets. Keres were ancient death spirits originally confined to canopic jars. When the jars wore down over time, keres tended to seek out new homes. There weren't too many of them left in this world, and soon there'd be one less. He bore down on me, and I took a nice chunk out of him with the silver blade. I used my right hand, the one I wore an onyx and obsidian bracelet on. Those stones alone would take a toll on a death spirit like him without the blade's help. Sure enough, he hissed in pain and hesitated a moment. I used that delay, scrambling to load the silver cartridge. I didn't quite make it, because soon he was on me again. He hit me with one of those massive arms, slamming me against the walls of the circle. They might be transparent, but they felt as solid as bricks. One of the downsides of trapping a spirit in a circle was that I got trapped too. My head and left shoulder took the brunt of that impact, and pain shot through me in small starbursts. He seemed pretty pleased with himself over this, as overconfident villains so often are. â€Å"You're as strong as they say, but you were a fool to try to cast me out. You should have left me in peace.† His voice was deeper now, almost gravelly. I shook my head, both to disagree and to get rid of the dizziness. â€Å"It isn't your shoe.† I still couldn't swap that goddamned cartridge. Not with him ready to attack again, not with both hands full. Yet I couldn't risk dropping either weapon. He reached for me, and I cut him again. The wounds were small, but the athame was like poison. It would wear him down over time – if I could stay alive that long. I moved to strike at him once more, but he anticipated me and seized hold of my wrist. He squeezed it, bending it in an unnatural position and forcing me to drop the athame and cry out. I hoped he hadn't broken any bones. Smug, he grabbed me by the shoulders with both hands and lifted me up so that I hung face to face with him. His eyes were yellow with slits for pupils, much like some sort of snake's. His breath was hot and reeked of decay as he spoke. â€Å"You are small, Eugenie Markham, but you are lovely and your flesh is warm. Perhaps I should beat the rush and take you myself. I'd enjoy hearing you scream beneath me.† Ew. Had that thing just propositioned me? And there was my name again. How in the world did he know that? None of them knew that. I was only Odile to them, named after the dark swan in Swan Lake, a name coined by my stepfather because of the form my spirit preferred to travel in while visiting the Otherworld. The name – though not particularly terrifying – had stuck, though I doubted any of the creatures I fought knew the reference. They didn't really get out to the ballet much. The keres had my upper arms pinned – I would have bruises tomorrow – but my hands and forearms were free. He was so sure of himself, so overly arrogant and confident, that he paid no attention to my struggling hands. He probably just perceived the motion as a futile effort to free myself. In seconds, I had the clip out and in the gun. I managed one clumsy shot and he dropped me – not gently. I stumbled to regain my balance again. Bullets probably couldn't kill him, but a silver one in the center of his chest would certainly hurt. He stumbled back, half-surprised, and I wondered if he'd ever even encountered a gun before. It fired again, then again and again and again. The reports were loud; hopefully Montgomery wouldn't do something foolish and come running in. The keres roared in outrage and pain, each shot making him stagger backward until he was all the way against the circle's boundary. I advanced on him, retrieved athame flashing in my hand. In a few quick motions, I carved the death symbol on the part of his chest that wasn't bloodied from bullets. An electric charge immediately ran through the air of the circle. Hairs stood up on the back of my neck, and I could smell ozone, like just before a storm. He screamed and leapt forward, renewed by rage or adrenaline or whatever else these creatures ran on. But it was too late for him. He was marked and wounded. I was ready. In another mood, I might have simply banished him to the Otherworld; I tried not to kill if I didn't have to. But that sexual suggestion had just been out of line. I was pissed off now. He'd go to the world of death, straight to Persephone's gate. I fired again to slow him, my aim a bit off with the left hand but still good enough to hit him. I had already traded the athame for the wand. This time, I didn't draw on the power from this plane. With well-practiced ease, I let part of my consciousness slip this world. In moments, I reached the crossroads to the Otherworld. That was an easy transition; I did it all the time. The next crossover was a little harder, especially with me being weakened from the fight, but still nothing I couldn't do automatically. I kept my own spirit well outside of the land of death, but I touched it and sent that connection through the wand. It sucked him in, and his face twisted with fear. â€Å"This is not your world,† I said in a low voice, feeling the power burn through me and around me. â€Å"This is not your world, and I cast you out. I send you to the black gate, to the lands of death where you can either be reborn or fade to oblivion or burn in the flames of hell. I really don't give a shit. Go.† He screamed, but the magic caught him. There was a trembling in the air, a buildup of pressure, and then it ended abruptly, like a deflated balloon. The keres was gone too, leaving only a shower of gray sparkles that soon faded to nothing. Silence. I sank to my knees, exhaling deeply. My eyes closed a moment, as my body relaxed and my consciousness returned to this world. I was exhausted but exultant too. Killing him had felt good. Heady, even. He'd gotten what he deserved, and I had been the one to deal it out. Minutes later, some of my strength returned. I stood and opened the circle, suddenly feeling stifled by it. I put my tools and weapons away and went to find Montgomery. â€Å"Your shoe's been exorcised,† I told him flatly. â€Å"I killed the ghost.† No point in explaining the difference between a keres and a true ghost; he wouldn't understand. He entered the room with slow steps, picking up the shoe gingerly. â€Å"I heard gunshots. How do you use bullets on a ghost?† I shrugged. It hurt from where the keres had slammed my shoulder to the wall. â€Å"It was a strong ghost.† He cradled the shoe like one might a child and then glanced down with disapproval. â€Å"There's blood on the carpet.† â€Å"Read the paperwork you signed. I assume no responsibility for damage incurred to personal property.† With a few grumbles, he paid up – in cash – and I left. Really, though, he was so stoked about the shoe, I probably could have decimated the office. In my car, I dug out a Milky Way from the stash in my glove box. Battles like that required immediate sugar and calories. As I practically shoved the candy bar into my mouth, I turned on my cell phone. I had a missed call from Lara. Once I'd consumed a second bar and was on I-10 back to Tucson, I dialed her. â€Å"Yo,† I said. â€Å"Hey. Did you finish the Montgomery job?† â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"Was the shoe really possessed?† â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"Huh. Who knew? That's kind of funny too. Like, you know, lost souls and soles in shoes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Bad, very bad,† I chastised. Lara might be a good secretary, but there was only so much I could be expected to put up with. â€Å"So what's up? Or were you just checking in?† â€Å"No. I just got a weird job offer. Some guy – well, honestly, I thought he sounded kind of schizo. But he claims his sister was abducted by fairies, er, gentry. He wants you to go get her.† I fell silent at that, staring at the highway and clear blue sky ahead without consciously seeing either one. Some objective part of me attempted to process what she had just said. I didn't get that kind of request very often. Okay, never. A retrieval like that required me to cross over physically into the Otherworld. â€Å"I don't really do that.† â€Å"That's what I told him.† But there was uncertainty in Lara's voice. â€Å"Okay. What aren't you telling me?† â€Å"Nothing, I guess. I don't know. It's just†¦he said she's been gone almost a year and a half now. She was fourteen when she disappeared.† My stomach sank a little at that. God. What an awful fate for someone so young. It made the keres' lewd comments to me downright trivial. â€Å"He sounded pretty frantic.† â€Å"Does he have proof she was actually taken?† â€Å"I don't know. He wouldn't get into it. He was kind of paranoid. Seemed to think his phone was being tapped.† I laughed at that. â€Å"By who? The gentry?† â€Å"Gentry† was what I called the beings that most of Western culture referred to as fairies or sidhe. They looked just like humans but embraced magic instead of technology. They found â€Å"fairy† a derogatory term, so I respected that – sort of – by using the term old English peasants used to use. Gentry. Good folk. Good neighbors. A questionable designation, at best. The gentry actually preferred the term â€Å"shining ones,† but that was just silly. I wouldn't give them that much credit. â€Å"I don't know,† Lara told me. â€Å"Like I said, he seemed a little schizo.† Silence fell as I held on to the phone and passed a car driving 45 in the left lane. â€Å"Eugenie! You aren't really thinking of doing this.† â€Å"Fourteen, huh?† â€Å"You always said that was dangerous.† â€Å"Adolescence?† â€Å"Stop it. You know what I mean. Crossing over.† â€Å"Yeah. I know what you mean.† It was dangerous – super dangerous. Traveling in spirit form could still get you killed, but your odds of fleeing back to your earthbound body were better. Take your own body over, and all the rules changed. â€Å"This is crazy.† â€Å"Set it up,† I told her. â€Å"It can't hurt to talk to him.† I could practically see her biting her lip to hold back protests. But at the end of the day, I was the one who signed her paychecks, and she respected that. After a few moments, she filled the silence with info about a few other jobs and then drifted on to more casual topics: some sale at the mall, a mysterious scratch on her car†¦ Something about Lara's cheery gossip always made me smile, but it also disturbed me that most of my social contact came via someone I never actually saw. Lately the majority of my face-to-face interactions came from spirits and gentry. It was after dinnertime when I arrived home, and my housemate, Tim, appeared to be out for the night, probably at a poetry reading. Despite a Polish background, genes had inexplicably given him a strong Native American appearance. In fact, he looked more Indian than some of the locals. Deciding this was his claim to fame, Tim had grown his hair out and taken on the name Timothy Red Horse. He made his living by reading faux-Native poetry at local dives and wooing naive tourist women by using expressions like â€Å"my people† and â€Å"the Great Spirit† a lot. It was despicable, to say the least, but it got him laid pretty often. What it did not do was bring in a lot of money, so I'd let him live with me in exchange for housework and cleaning. It was a pretty good deal as far as I was concerned. After battling the undead all day, scrubbing the bathtub just seemed like asking too much. Scrubbing my athames, unfortunately, was a task I had to do myself. Keres blood could stain. I ate dinner afterward, then stripped and sat in my sauna for a long time. I liked a lot of things about my little house out in the foothills, but the sauna was one of my favorites. It might seem kind of pointless in the desert, but Arizona had mostly dry heat, and I liked the feel of humidity and moisture on my skin. I leaned back against the wooden wall, enjoying the sensation of sweating out the stress. My body ached – some parts more fiercely than others – and the heat let some of the muscles loosen up. The solitude also soothed me. Pathetic as it was, I probably had no one to blame for my lack of sociability except myself. I spent a lot of time alone and didn't mind. When my stepfather, Roland, had first trained me as a shaman, he'd told me that in a lot of cultures, shamans essentially lived outside of normal society. The idea had seemed crazy to me at the time, being in junior high, but it made more sense now that I was older. I wasn't a complete socialphobe, but I found I often had a hard time interacting with other people. Talking in front of groups was murder. Even talking one-on-one had its issues. I had no pets or children to ramble on about, and I couldn't exactly talk about things like the incident in Las Cruces. Yeah, I had kind of a long day. Drove four hours, fought an ancient minion of evil. After a few bullets and knife wounds, I obliterated him and sent him on to the world of death. God, I swear I'm not getting paid enough for this crap, you know? Cue polite laughter. When I left the sauna, I had another message from Lara telling me the appointment with the distraught brother had been arranged for tomorrow. I made a note in my day planner, took a shower, and retired to my room, where I threw on black silk pajamas. For whatever reason, nice pajamas were the one indulgence I allowed myself in an otherwise dirty and bloody lifestyle. Tonight's selection had a cami top that showed serious cleavage, had anyone been there to see it. I always wore a ratty robe around Tim. Sitting at my desk, I emptied out a new jigsaw puzzle I'd just bought. It depicted a kitten on its back clutching a ball of yarn. My love of puzzles ranked up there with the pajama thing for weirdness, but they eased my mind. Maybe it was the fact that they were so tangible. You could hold the pieces in your hand and make them fit together, as opposed to the insubstantial stuff I usually worked with. While my hands moved the pieces around, I kept trying to shake the knowledge that the keres had known my name. What did that mean? I'd made a lot of enemies in the Otherworld. I didn't like the thought of them being able to track me personally. I preferred to stay Odile. Anonymous. Safe. Probably not much point worrying about it, I supposed. The keres was dead. He wouldn't be telling any tales. Two hours later, I finished the puzzle and admired it. The kitten had brown tabby fur, its eyes an almost azure blue. The yarn was red. I took out my digital camera, snapped a picture, and then broke up the puzzle, dumping it back into its box. Easy come, easy go. Yawning, I slipped into bed. Tim had done laundry today; the sheets felt crisp and clean. Nothing like that fresh-sheets smell. Despite my exhaustion, however, I couldn't fall asleep. It was one of life's ironies. While awake, I could slide into a trance with the snap of a finger. My spirit could leave my body and travel to other worlds. Yet, for whatever reason, sleep was more elusive. Doctors had recommended a number of sedatives, but I hated to use them. Drugs and alcohol bound the spirit to this world, and while I did indulge occasionally, I generally liked being ready to slip over at a moment's notice. Tonight I suspected my insomnia had something to do with a teenage girl†¦. But no. I couldn't think about that, not yet. Not until I spoke with the brother. Sighing, needing something else to ponder, I rolled over and stared at my ceiling, at the plastic glow-in-the-dark stars. I started counting them, as I had so many other restless nights. There were exactly thirty-three of them, just like last time. Still, it never hurt to check.