Sunday Snippet: One of These Things

It's been a crazy week. Our county had severe flash flooding in the far eastern end and many of the people affected are still trying to dry out. Then there was a terrible barn fire that took three teenagers, most a little younger than my daughter. And to top it off, a beloved coach and teacher lost his battle with cancer. So… yeah. Rough and crazy week. Also… it can quit raining whenever it wants to.

A little light on television fare, but I did get some shows watched. Caught an episode of Durham County and, honestly, it's insane how dark this show goes. Not in a bad way either. But it's super-twisted and seriously messy. I can't wait to see how Ray Prager, Sr. tries to keep the upper hand he gained this week. I also can't wait to see him go down really hard. Please make that happen.

Midsomer Murders had a great episode featuring astronomy. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and figuring out the why and how.

Watched two more episodes each of Peter Gunn and Classic Who. I'm nearing the end of the first doctor's tenure and should be starting Two's in the near future.

Caught another episode of Painkiller Jane and enjoyed it. I like the episode the first time around because it opened up some questions about whether all neuros really needed to be chipped. I think this show was a little ahead of its time.

Blade had a decent episode where Krista needed to detox and Blade had to find a serial killer vampire. Not a bad hour's worth or so of entertainment.

Started another episode of Blue Heelers. I'm still enjoying this Aussie drama.

Watched another episode of Banshee. It took me three days to get through the entire episode due to several interruptions and a number of work deadlines. But I loved this one from the original watch and didn't want to miss anything.

Caught Chicago Fire penultimate episode of season seven. Excellent showing. I kind of love where all the characters are right now… which means they'll all be upended in the finale. LOL

Started Daredevil's third episode of season three. I'm really liking this final season. I'm so disappointed with all the consolidation and shifting of assets and how it affects terrific television. I'm not a huge Disney fan because they keep snapping everything up.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from One of These Things, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt about recreating fairy tales.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Tanis Watts comes of age in the human world, but discovers she has fae abilities. When she's caught between warring factions, she falls in with the wrong side and barely escapes with her life. Seeking sanctuary, she lands on Falco Corsair's doorstep and runs headfirst into her destiny.

And a preview snippet…

Brevan Hollis shook like a leaf but he'd promised to help whenever he got a call. "Didn't know I'd be going back to the hell pit I escaped from." Being a mid-liner—a fae who didn't have allegiance to either the Black or the White—put him in a position to be useful to both sides.

But someone from the White had saved his sorry ass when the dark priest wanted to make Brevan a sacrificial example five years ago. Middle liners had at least one human parent and weren't supposed to be recruited by the fae councils. Some long ago treaty gave the half-faes freedom from swearing fealty to either sect.

Something the high priest conveniently forgot when it suited him.

Brevan's steps slowed when he came to the small stone building. A shot-gun styled interior with a short hallway and four tiny rooms on either side and a larger single room in the back, the makeshift jail held only one prisoner.

Tannis Watts.

Brevan didn't have a clue what she looked like or what condition she'd be in. The call didn't have those kinds of specifics, only the location and the urgent need to get Tannis to safety. He'd come semi-prepared with a small medical kit and a bag of charms and crystals. Both were tucked inside his jacket, just in case.

Slipping through the gate in the front yard, he stooped down and crept quietly toward the house. No guards were posted outside, which actually helped and hindered his quest. He could enter through the front door, but opted to go around back in case someone acted as a sentry inside.

Angling toward the rear entrance, he squinted through the window. "Unless something major has changed in the five years, I'll have a better view to the front." Sure enough, the large space that once used to be a kitchen and dining area gave him a straight view to the front of the building. No one stood inside.

Brevan used his quick and nimble fingers to get through the lock. He carefully opened the door and eased inside the house. Now, he only had to figure out which room Tannis would occupy.

Taking a step forward, he listened for any sound that would give him a clue. "Rather not have to pick every lock in the place." He stopped by the first door and pressed his ear against it.

Nothing. No creaking floorboards, no rustling, not a peep.

He crossed the hall and listened at the neighboring door.

Same thing. Not a sound.

Biting back a sigh, he moved to the next room. "It's after midnight, dumbass. She's probably sleeping." Might as well finish the rounds and try the next door.

He leaned against the heavy oak, trying to detect any kind of movement. He almost fell on his face when the door jerked open and he stumbled into the darkened space. A hand caught him under his chin, squeezing his throat then pushed him up against the wall.

Dim moonlight illuminated a beautiful female face marred only by the slash of her angry mouth.

Her fingers clamped tighter around his neck. "Full moon's not until tomorrow. Why are you here?"

He tried to swallow but couldn't get his throat to work. "T-t-tannis W-ww-watts?" He resisted the desire to claw at her hand even though he couldn't breathe.

She narrowed her eyes. "Why. Are. You. Here?"

When he couldn't do more than choke out a garbled response, she finally relented and loosened her grip on his airway. He dragged several lungsful of air into his chest and cleared his throat.

He glanced down to his jacket. "Inside the pocket." He hoped she'd retrieve the card otherwise he might not make it out alive.

She reached in with her free hand then read the name and address before slowly letting him go.

Brevan gave her the same introduction he'd received five years ago. "If you don't want to die, I can get you out. The choice is yours."

She pinned him with a clear gaze, searching his face for any sign of imminent betrayal. Brevan didn't flinch or look away even though her scrutiny unnerved him. They needed to get going if she wanted to escape. The building would be on a regular patrol route since it didn't have guards.

Tannis relaxed her posture and nodded. "Let's go."

I hope this story turns out the way I see things in my head. It's fun to write the conflict between dark and light and how those who aren't on either side have to play carefully to not get in the way.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye