DEFENDING THE PEN
It’s all about murder . . . romance – writing it!
I post flash fiction, book announcements, interviews, and the things I love.
Careful . . . you may end up the victim . . .
of fun!
Sarah listened to the wind, but
the howl she heard was more animal than weather related. She wanted to ask Chet
but didn't want to wake him. Shivering despite the warmth of her down-filled
parka and the extra blankets, Sarah felt the breeze on her face. She covered
all but her eyes and finally succumbed to the call of dreamland.
Chet also listened to the
winds whipping around the mountaintop and their tiny shelter. His worries grew
with each gale as he recognized the distinct cry of the wolf. But exhaustion
took hold despite his concern, and he also yielded to the sandman.
Sarah was awake three hours
later. Her broken leg was causing severe discomfort. She wanted to shift
position, but any movement of her body worsened the pain. Then she felt a deep
vibration like a deep-ground earthquake. It lasted less than a minute, but an
odd, eerie blue light immediately appeared outside the plane's ice-covered
windows. It grew brighter as it moved closer. So bright she had to squint. She wanted
badly to sit up, but that was when she noticed a tall man standing over her.
She tried to scream but couldn't.
How could she warn Chet? She
was mute and frozen in place. The alien's eyes locked on hers. Large and diamond-shaped
with a cobalt blue pupil, the iris was that same brilliant azure color of the
light surrounding him. Even the sclera was a pale blue, or was it just a
reflection? While he held her gaze, she noted his height as seven feet or eight.
It was hard to tell as she was so low to the floor. And his skin, a dark gray,
almost black. Was he wearing a body suit? If so, it was skintight and showed well-defined
muscles and washboard abs. But like a Ken doll, he had no genitalia, and his
legs were just as muscular as his upper torso. No hair, no nose or mouth. Long
fingers, ten digits, but not human, clearly not human, she thought.
But his eyes held her, large,
probing, hypnotic. Is this a dream? I'm awake? Is he a rescuer? Why can't I
move? Panic rose as Sarah watched the tall, perfectly formed creature walk away.
No! Please don't leave!
Once the creature was gone, Chet
stirred and immediately jumped to his feet, grabbed the shotgun, and shouted, "Wait,"
as he disappeared into the blue light.
Sarah could finally move, but
immobile, she felt helpless and frightened beyond words. She placed her hand on
her womb, "It's all right, little one. It's going to be all right. I
promise."
Outside, Chet stood
uncomprehending what was happening. He saw no one, not even tracks, in the
fresh snowfall. But he did hear a loud whoosh as the air and snow around him flew
straight up from the ground, covering the area in a white fog. Then it grew
quiet. No sound, not even wind. Chet looked to the sky, and a flash of lights
ascended into the clouds. Was it real?
He rushed back inside. Seeing
the fear in Sarah's eyes told him it was, but it also calmed his nerves. He switched
on the LED lamps and stirred the fire. "It's a good thing Steve had all
the furniture crafted of burnable material and ordered fire logs as part of
your safety equipment. Still, in these storms, we'll go through it fast. It's
critical that we get below the tree line where we'll have ample firewood for
these cold nights. "Sorry, I don't mean to ramble. What do you say, since
we're both awake? A cup of cocoa?" he asked in a surprisingly cheerful
voice.
"Yes, please,"
Sarah whispered. Watching him closely, she wondered why he didn't mention the
strange man and the blue lights.
After melting snow in a pot
over the fire, she watched him prepare the concoction, adding the powdery cocoa
mixture and marshmallows to each cup.
"It's hard to believe
we're stranded on a mountaintop, but we have marshmallows for hot
chocolate," he said as he handed her a mug.
"Amazing that we have
cocoa," she said, still shocked by his response to what had just happened.
She watched the white mellows melt, blew on the concoction, and took a small
sip. "Perfect. Thank you," she said, her eyes full of questions.
He sat down on the floor
beside her. "I'm sorry I woke you. I just wanted to check the storm."
"You saw him, right?"
She barely whispered as she clutched her hot chocolate in both hands—"the blue
lights. I thought we were rescued, but I couldn't move. Not until he quit
looking at me?"
Chet forced a smile. "A
dream. A shame too. Rescue would be wonderful. But now I'm doubly sorry you woke
up that way." He lied because he knew better. He saw the man, the blue
lights, and those haunting eyes, and he, too, couldn't move until the gaze was broken.
But denying it as a nightmare was the only way for the unexplainable to remain
unspoken. He preferred it to be a shared nightmare rather than reality because
they already had too many worries.
"You're shivering. I
might be able to find another parka," Chet said.
"No, I'm fine. The
chocolate will warm me up from the inside," Sarah said and tried to give him
her best smile, but on the inside, she was screaming. Who was that? It
wasn't human. Oh, God, it wasn't human.
They drank their cocoa in
silence and despite the necessity of conserving battery life. Chet left the LED
lanterns on all night.
This is
an excerpt from the 7th book of my Alaskan Series, Murder on
Mount Fairweather, coming out December 2023. The first night after their
plane crashes, this encounter occurs. At
this point, I've not decided whether it makes the book, but it was fun to
write.
XXX
FLASH FICTION, POETRY, NON-FICTION, PHOTO ESSAYS... POST JUNE 21st - 23rd
SUBMIT your name and URL to the list below starting June 21st to the 23rd
POST your entry according to June's prompt "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND"
USE WEP in your Title and the Poster on your page. Post your word count.
STATE feedback preferences and give constructive feedback as requested. See WEP Critique Page.
SHARE THE CHALLENGE on social media. Tweets are ready on the WEP blog.
Open to all genres - 1000 words maximum
Email Denise or another team member if you have more questions:
Halloween was a dark and
dreary night filled with misting rain and fog that moved like ghostly images
around the yellow light of the lampposts. It matched my mood, and I went for a
walk despite the weather or the late hour. The world was quiet because all the
vamps, witches, and goblins, with bellies full of chocolate, were astral
projecting through candy-crush dreams.
As the fog closed in and
the shadows moved surreptitiously around me, I relished the feel of solitude
and silence. I'd just lost a coveted part in the new GT Dragon series. Smarting
from the rejection, I was angry for believing my agent when he used words like star
and soon-to-be rich and famous.
Sure, I'd appeared in
several videos and commercials, even a slasher film, with a scream that won out
over fifteen others. But the truth is I'm just an extra. A girl with good legs,
a pretty smile, and an award-winning scream. The problem was that I had no
desire to be average.
Visibility was low, but
I was too caught up in a blue funk to care. With no destination in mind, I
walked around and around, block after block. I wasn't lost, just wandering,
trying to figure out how to change the future.
"Excuse me,
Miss," a deep voice crashed my pity party. Startled, my hand went to my
heart, and my breath caught in my throat. Foolishly, I'd assumed I had the
world to myself.
The mist seemed to part,
and I spotted an incredibly handsome man under the streetlamp. Deep dark eyes,
long dark wavy hair. Black jeans and a leather jacket. The clichéd bad boy.
"Don't tell me, you
need directions?" I gave him my best "make my day" attitude.
He moved closer. His
eyes were hypnotic, his advance slow and easy, and that smile contagious. "I
thought you were lost. You've passed by here twice."
"Not directionally
lost, just deep in thought," I said as I tried to recall if I had passed
by before.
"I'll buy you a
drink if you share your thoughts."
"Sure, why
not," I agreed, knowing a crowd was safer.
We crossed the street to
the Jumpy Jitters. I knew Jess, the owner.As we walked to the corner
booth, I introduced myself.
"I'm Drake. Nice to
meet you, Clara," he said, then took my hand in his and kissed the back of
my hand. His eyes were mesmerizing, and his touch sent warm tingles through my
body. I swallowed air. My whole body flushed.
He chuckled. "I've
never seen anyone blush so easily."
I slid into my seat and removed
my jacket. "It's too warm in here." Embarrassed and questioning my
reaction, I fanned my face. Sure, the guy was handsome, but I've seen plenty of
attractive, and no, I've never felt that electric spark with anyone else. It
had to be a fluke. Too much static in the air. I changed the subject. "So,
what has you hanging out in the fog in a small town like Carlisle on Halloween
night?"
Before he could answer,
the waitress asked for our order. I ordered a drink I could sip all night, a
Black Russian. Mr. Suave ordered a bottle of Jack and a draft. I grinned.
"Don't tell me, you're nursing a broken heart?"
"No. The bottle is
for my grandmother. She's a spry old lady that likes a nip once in a while. Halloween's
her favorite holiday. You should have seen her with the kiddos. They loved her
costume and that cackle of hers. Scares them every time."
"That's sweet.
You're visiting from where?"
"Chicago. I'm a
pilot."
For two hours, we
conversed like old friends. When Jess turned the lights up and said, "last
call," I felt cheated. Drake was an intriguing man."
Drake offered to walk me
home, butI said "no" too quickly. It seemed the
safest option. "I'll catch a ride with Jess. He lives near me. It was nice
meeting you. I hope we run into one another next time you're in town."
"If it's in my
power, we will," he said with a sly smile. "May I kiss you
goodnight?"
I blushed again, and he
took it as a yes. But damn, that man can kiss. I'd never, ever been kissed so well.
An immediate addiction, I wanted more. My heart pounded, and I could barely
catch my breath.
Drake wished me sweet
dreams, then, too quickly, he was gone. After the last patron left, I asked
Jess for a ride home, but he had to do the floors, and I didn't feel like
waiting.
Walking out in the night
air was a rude awakening. The fog had thickened, but I pulled up my collar and
started a quick pace home.
Half an hour later, I
realized home was blocks away and in the opposite direction. I was standing on
a street where the only visible house still had lit Halloween decorations. The
fog gave the scene a macabre look.
"Did you follow
me?" Drake's voice broke through the fog of my confusion."
"No, honest. I… oh
God, I'm not drunk. I know what street I live on. How did I get here?"
Drake, laughingly, said,
"I told you Grandma was a witch?"
"Yes, but…a…real…witch?"
"Is there any other
kind?"
I still hadn't spotted
him in the fog. "Where are you?"
He put his arms around
me from behind and whispered. "Right here, beautiful."
I turned. One look into
those alluring eyes, and we were locked in a kiss. The passion was
all-consuming, as though we'd been lovers for years. I surrendered completely when
he began whisper-soft kisses behind my ear and down my neck. Adrift in the
passion of his touch and lost in desires I'd never experienced before, I could
have sworn we were floating high above the city.
***
A year later, Drake and I married. He flies
jets, I'm still an extra, and Granny's is our favorite Halloween hideout.
1. SUBMIT your name & URL to the list below starting October 19 - through the 21st 2. POST your edited entry according to the theme "THRILLER". Use 'WEP' in the TITLE. 3. STATE feedback preferences, word count, and tagline. 4. READ other entries, giving positive feedback as requested. Guidelines WEP Critique Page. 5 SHARE THE CHALLENGE on social media. Tweets are ready on the WEP blog.
PLEASE NOTE: ENTRIES CLOSE October 21 (NY Time - check WEP blog clock)
ALL GENRES WELCOME except erotica - 1,000 words maximum
FURTHER ENQUIRIES VISIT writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com and leave a comment or: email: yolandarenee@hotmail.com and den.covey@gmail.com
1. SUBMIT your name to the list below NOW 2. CREATE your entry for the October challenge – Déjà vu or Voodoo. Go HERE for further ideas 3. EDIT your entry, making sure 'WEP' is in the TITLE 4. PUBLISH your entry onto your BLOG or FACEBOOK page on the date shown - state feedback preferences 5. Leave a COMMENT on the WEP website. We add your DirectLink 6. READ other entries, giving feedback as requested 7 SHARE THE CHALLENGE on social media.
ALL GENRES WELCOME except erotica - 1,000 words maximum FURTHER ENQUIRIES VISIT www.writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com and leave a comment or: email: yolandarenee@hotmail.com
I’m not participating in the A to Z this year there’s just too much going on right now, but as a participant of the WEP I, along with the rest of the team was honored to be asked for a contribution.
The WEP team currently consists of four writers – Denise Covey, Olga Godim, Nilanjana Bose and me! I hope you’ll check out our post and help us spread the word about the A to Z and the WEP!
The inspiration for today’s collaborative post, is an amazing picture taken by Celia Reaves Thanks, Celia, for permission to use the image.
It's
that time again, a day to express insecurities, and boy do I have a few. Just
last week I asked my publisher for the rights to my trilogy. Now, I'm dealing
with cover designs, but thanks to a picture taken just last month in the snow, I
had my start. I then sent that on to Michael Di Gesu, and he worked his magic. You can see the results in the sidebar -->
Murder,
Madness & Love is now up as a Kindle, and I'm going to
use Amazon to publish in paperback too.
Memories
of Murder should be up as a Kindle in a few days. Murder
& Obsession will come next. All while I’m working to get the Prequel
to the Series online too!
Amazing
but that when it rains, it pours! Up to my elbows in edits, and designs, and
more edits, plus getting ready for the book tour for the Snowman, and this
month, all month the A to Z!
That’s
only the half of it, but, well, no more crying over spilled milk. Pulling up my
big girl pants and getting to work! Wish me luck, because I’m damn sure as Hell
going to need it! The tour for the Snowman begins in May, there are still a few spots open, please consider hosting me that day for a review, guest post, or interview! Thank you! Just click HERE!
Happy
April, everyone!
Question:
Have you taken advantage of the annual A to Z Challenge in terms of marketing, networking, publicity for your book? What were the results?
Yes, as a matter of fact last year after the release of Murder & Obsession I used the A to Z to introduce the story and discuss Alaska. I sold 40 books that month. Not a bad start. And for this A to Z I'm going something similar for the Snowman!
Thank you, everyone, who stayed with the posts and bought the book! I enjoyed that A to Z almost as much as the one I did on Margaret Mitchell.
August’s IWSG question is -What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?
I wrote the third place-winning essay for the American Legion Young Citizens Contest when I was in the 10th grade, but my first published piece was a poem for rape victims.
Although I do have a file cabinet that collects dust, and it does have several hand written projects sitting in a file, so yes, a few are collecting dust. So many ideas, so little time! J
I hope you all have a great writing month!
Don't forget to sign up for the latest WEP Flash Fiction Challenge – it's all about Gardens!
Here are a few words about gardens, to inspire you!
In my garden I spend my days; in my library I spend my nights. My interests are divided between my geraniums and my books. With the flower I am in the present; with the book I am in the past.
~Alexander Smith, "Books and Gardens," Dreamthorp: A Book of Essays Written in the Country, 1863
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.
~Cicero
A garden was the primitive prison, till man with Promethean felicity and boldness, luckily sinned himself out of it.
